Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

April is known for many things including rain showers and reveries of Paris. It also signals the start of spring, a season of birth, growth, and renewal. Clouding the fresh bloom of its arrival, however, is a dreaded annual visitor -- the taxman. Fortunately, April is National Poetry Month as well, the perfect celebration to inspire the spirit and banish thoughts of the tax collector's exacting toll. 

We at the Harris County Law Library can think of no better way to send the taxman back to his ledger book than to share a poem. As we celebrate National Poetry Month (as well as Tax Law Resource Month), a bit of written verse may be just what we all need. Recognizing both of April's themes, we've selected a poem by the famous Russian writer, Vladimir Mayakovsky, entitled "Talking with the Taxman About Poetry" which you can read here in full on the Poetry Foundation's website. (Mayakovsky would celebrate his 125th birthday this year. He took his own life on April 14th, 1930, but in the years since his death, his popularity has continued to grow.)

For more poetry and judicial verse, visit the Law Library's National Poetry Month exhibit. Currently on display in the lobby, this exhibit features legal opinions written in rhyme. Inspired by various sources including Edgar Allan Poe, Dr. Seuss, and Leann Rimes, these opinions reflect the wit and wisdom of their authors as well as the occasional levity of the court. For more examples of parody and verse in legal decisions, visit the Gallagher Law Library Judicial Humor page.

Tax Law Resource Month

April is Tax Law Resource Month at the Harris County Law Library. All month long, you will find materials on federal and Texas taxes on display in the Law Library and on our website.

Self-Help Resource: Nolo's Stand Up to the IRS

Written by tax attorney Frederick W. Daily, Nolo’s Stand Up to the IRS is an excellent resource to answer your questions about the IRS, tax returns, audits, federal tax liens, taxpayer advocates, fraud and tax crimes, and penalties and interest.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers Neighborhood Tax Center Tax Clinics

NTC tax clinics are held every third Thursday of each month at Baker Ripley Neighorhood Tax Center for persons seeking assistance with IRS issues.  Walk-In legal advice clinic.  The first 6 people will be seen 

At a legal advice clinic, applicants meet with a licensed Texas attorney one-on-one and receive free advice on their legal issue. Individuals needing continued representation beyond the legal advice clinic generally must be residents of Harris County and have a household income of no greater than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

LITC clinics are held once a week at the Houston Volunteer Lawyer's office. They are by appointment only. Please call 713-225-1TAX to schedule an appointment. 

At the appointment, applicants will meet with a HVL staff attorney one-on-one and receive free advice on their IRS tax issue. Individuals needing continued representation beyond the legal advice clinic generally must be residents of Harris County and have a household income of no greater than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.