Income Tax Resources & Tools

Income Tax Resources & Tools

New Mexico Legal Aid’s Low-Income Tax Payer Clinic (LITC)

PDFs:

IRS VITA TCE Handout

Tax Preparer’s Ordinance as passed by City Council.12.5.22

Proposed TreaProposed Treasury Regulations on certain child-based tax benefits: REG-137604-07, 01.19.2017.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/19/2017-01056/definition-of-dependent

IRS Form 1040, Schedule 8812 and Instructions

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040s8.pdf

IRS Form 8862 and Instructions

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8862.pdf and https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8862.pdf

CLE Sessions & Presentation Materials

Empowering Families/Clients:  An Income Tax Perspective – 3 Part Series

Presenter: Grace Allison, Staff Attorney and Former Director, New Mexico Legal Aid Low Income Taxpayer Clinic 

Prior to joining NMLA, she served for six years as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law and Qualified Tax Expert in the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at the UNM School of Law.  A graduate of The University of Chicago Law School and Wellesley College, Grace has practiced as a tax attorney for more than 44 years, “retiring” in 2011 as Tax Counsel, Tax Strategist and Senior Vice President at the Fortune 500 wealth manager, Northern Trust.  She has published numerous articles on tax topics in professional journals over the years, and has served on the boards of four New Mexico nonprofits.  She is a past Chair of the Charitable Planning and Organizations Group, Real Property Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar Association and is Treasurer of the Tax Section of the State Bar of New Mexico.

2025 Part 3/3 – Allocating Income Tax Benefits Between Parents in a Split-Up

Did you know that family court allocations of income tax benefits (e.g. “Mom can claim Susie, Dad can claim Jack”) do not control for income tax purposes? Tune in while Grace Allison explains how to allocate income tax benefits, including tax credits, between parents in a split-up.

Resources:

Excerpt from Proposed Regulations under Section 152

IRS Form 8332

IRS Form 8857 Instructions

IRS Form 8857 Request for Innocent Spouse Relief

IRS IR 2024-294

NMTRD rpd-41337.Innocent or Injured Spouse Relief

2025 Part 2/3 – Empowering Family Law Clients: What is a “Qualifying Child” and Why It Matters

There is more to child-based income tax benefits than meets the eye! Using examples drawn from practice, and a generous dash of humor, Grace will walk you through a potentially bewildering array of rules and exceptions.

2025 Part 1/3 – Empowering Family Law Clients: Tax Credits & Tax Preparer Misconduct

Knowledge is power. Build better client relationships by helping your clients learn about the millions of dollars of legitimate child-based tax benefits available to them—if they can avoid rampant income tax preparer misconduct!

Resources:

2025 Tax Season Letter

Carta de la Temporada de Impuestos 2025

Tax Preparer’s Ordinance as passed by City Council.12.5.22

Form 1040 Example

2024 Part 1: Helping Low- & Middle-Income Families Get Their Money From the IRS

New Mexico Legal Aid tax attorney Grace Allison will provide an overview of income tax benefits available to low- and middle-income families from the IRS and the State of New Mexico, and how families can apply for these benefits to boost their available resources.  Examples will be provided.

2024 Part 2:  Understanding Income Tax Benefits for Low- & Middle-Income Families

NMLA tax attorney Grace Allison will take a deep dive into income tax benefits, including tax credits, available to low- and middle-income families in New Mexico to boost their available resources, explaining how to determine eligibility.

2024 Part 3:  Allocating Income Tax Benefits Between Parents in a Split-Up

NMLA tax attorney Grace Allison will explain how to allocate income tax benefits, including tax credits, between parents in a split-up.  Case studies will be provided to demonstrate the principles.