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Delaware Community Reinvestment 

Tax Clinic

FAQs

 

Do you charge a fee for your services?
No.  Our services are free.

Who else provides similar free services in Delaware?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service also offers services simiilar to those we offer.

Who are your Tax Clinic staff and what do they do?
Rony Peralta is our Clinic Director who triages cases as they come in. He meets with you, gets all your facts together and works with Tax attorney Jim Angus who graciously volunteers as much time as our clinic needs. Your power of attorney is retained by Jim Angus and Rashmi Rangan who communicate with the IRS.

Do you prepare tax returns?
No.  However;

  • If you have not filed taxes in the past, we help prepare your prior year tax returns. 
  • If your tax returns need to be amended, we help with amending your returns. 
  • If you are filing after April 15, and did not request an extension, we may be able to help you with your return. 
  • If you are filing a return so as to obtain an ITIN, we may be able to help you file your return.

Can you help me with a tax levy on my social security disability? 
After you sign a power of attorney that gives DCRAC the authority to represent you before the IRS for designated tax years, we will work directly with the IRS with regard to your tax problem.  This could include negotiating with the IRS on your behalf an installment agreement or an offer in compromise of your debt.  In some cases, if your financial situation warrants, we can request your account be placed in "currently not collectible" by the IRS, deferring collection of any monies until a later date.

What if I am in tax court? 
With a signed power of attorney, DCRAC will represent you in tax court until your case is either settled or goes to trial. 

Before coming to DCRAC, should I try a private tax service that advertises on TV to handle my claims? 
Each individual needs to decide for herself whether to use a fee based service in dealing with the IRS.  If you choose to do so, make sure you understand at the beginning of the process what the total fees involved will be and at what dates you will be required to make payments. 

Does DCRAC have influence with the IRS? 
DCRAC is a low income tax clinic which receives funding from the IRS to provide tax services to you at no cost.  DCRAC works with all segments of the IRS, including collections, examinations, appeals, and general counsel, as well as the Taxpayer Assistance Service.  DCRAC's influence with the IRS is based on our goal to arrive at a fair and just disposition of your tax situation that balances your individual circumstances with the public's interest in the collection of legitimate taxes that are due and owing.

Can you help me with my issues with the Delaware Department of Revenue? 
Yes, DCRAC works with the Delaware Department of Revenue in the same fashion as we work with the IRS.  In doing so, DCRAC requires a signed power of attorney so that we may discuss your taxes with the Department of Revenue.

I have never filed a tax return, but now I have to submit copies of my tax returns to get a mortgage or for my daughter to receive financial aid at her college.  Can DCRAC help me? 
Yes, DCRAC will advise you on how to proceed with getting current with filing your present and prior year tax returns.

I want to pay my fair share of taxes but I don’t have a valid social security number to file my return.  Can DCRAC help me? 
Yes, DCRAC will work with you to fill out a form W-7, which is your application for an "individual taxpayer identification number" (ITIN) that is submitted with your tax return.  Once you receive your ITIN, you will use that number for filing your taxes.

What documents should I bring with me for my first meeting? 
Bring a copy of your latest tax return, any letters you have received from the IRS, and if you are experiencing financial difficulties bring a copy of your lease, your latest utility bills for electric, gas, cable, phone, water, garbage, etc., 3 months of bank statements for all bank accounts, 3 months of credit card statements for all credit cards, your last 3 pay stubs, all medical bills, and any other bills you have that document your indebtedness.

 

Quick Look at What's Happening at DCRAC

DCRAC's comments on Fed approval of Capital One-ING Direct merger

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden Signs on to Settlement Deal

The News Journal's Delaware Inc. quotes from DCRAC's letter to AG Beau Biden on mortgage settlement deal.

Public Housing notice in Newark, Delaware.

The News Journal prints DCRAC's "Delaware Voice" essay on Capital One merger with Ing Direct.

DCRAC releases letter of support for Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden.

DCRAC statement on DE Bank Commissioner's Cap One - ING decision: "We place the City of Wilmington and the Delaware Economic Development Office on notice to keep their calculators ready. Six months after the merger is consummated, we will ask them for a public accounting with regards to all the jobs that have been created and services provided to our communities here in Delaware by Capitol One."

Rashmi is quoted in News Journal on Mortgage Deal

John Taylor from Content Delaware interviews Rashmi Rangan

Check out these January Fair Housing Training Events

Rashmi Rangan quoted in News Journal editorial about Cordray Appointment

Rashmi Rangan: Richard Cordray Appointment Victory for Consumers

Join Rashmi Rangan for Ignite Wilmington, Nov. 30th at 7:00 pm at World Cafe Live at the Queen. Go to www.ignitewilmington.com.

Hoy en Delaware features a letter from Rashmi Rangan, Jim Angus and Rony Peralta on the Sussex County Today and Tomorrow Conference at Del Tech.

Rashmi wrote a letter to the DE Sec of Labor and pointed to the agreement reached in VA.

Good news last week in Norfolk, Virginia on the issue of worker wages. Check out the agreement between the VA Sec. of Labor and the Mexican Consulate in DC.

DCRAC's November 2 letter to the bank commissioner regarding the Capital One-ING Direct merger.

This is the cooperative agreement proposed by DCRAC for the Capital One-ING Direct merger.

Here is Rashmi Rangan's testimony from the October 27 Capital One - ING Direct bank commissioner hearing.

Eve Tahmincioglu from Delaware First Media looks at Stepping Stones FCU and the role credit unions have played in low income areas.

Here is a story about our CRA Leadership Award in the Community Pub

The Seaford Star has an interview with CRA Leadership Award winner Amy Walls

WHYY's Newsworks posted a story on U.S. Rep John Carney's visit to DCRAC as he learned about our mission and Stepping Stones FCU.

The Cape Gazette printed a nice profile of Amy Walls, DCRAC's 2011 CRA Leadership Award winner

WHYY's Newsworks has a good story on "Celebrate CRA 2011" and "Stepping Stones FCU"

The News Journal's Rhonda B. Graham highlights Stepping Stones FCU as a sign of hope in Wilmington.

The News Journal's Eric Ruth reports on the creation of Stepping Stones FCU

NCUA Grants Charter for Stepping Stones Federal Credit Union

Rashmi Rangan's detailed comments on Capital One-ING Direct merger to Federal Reserve

Rashmi Rangan's testimony at Capital One-ING Direct Public Meeting

DCRAC interview with Housing Clinic Director, Carlos Herrera

DCRAC welcomes our partners to the 15th annual Celebrate CRA

Rashmi Rangan's op-ed on Dodd-Frank and Consumer Protection Bureau

DCRAC seeks Credit Clinic Director

DCRAC comments on Capital One/ING

View DCRAC's Upcoming Events

Looking for Scholarship Opportunities

Looking for Employment

New Journal's Eric Ruth Quotes Rashmi Rangan on Capital One-ING Direct Merger

News Journal story on family's struggle in foreclosure crisis

News Journal story on Fed approval of M&T - Wilmington Trust merger quotes DCRAC

WHYY features DCRAC in: "Fighting Foreclosures" http://video.whyy.org/video/1780751388/

WHYY interviews Rashmi Rangan on Fed forclosure report

News Journal report on M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust merger hearing

Rashmi Rangan's Public Testimony M&T/WT merger hearing

Delaware CRA Contacts:

  • Back by popular demand.

 

Key Contact Information:

  • Rashmi Rangan, executive director x 100
  • Telephone: 302-654-5024
    OR Toll free     1-877-825-0750
  • FAX: 302-654-5046
  • Postal address:
    601 North Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Webmaster: rrangan@dcrac.org