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California Indian Legal Services

California Indian Legal Services
 

Free Tax Service

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HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS FREE SERVICE WHICH STARTS JANUARY 16, 2009

Free Assistance Preparing your Tax Return

This tax season, CALIFORNIA INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES is again partnering with the LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY to provide free tax return assistance to low and middle income taxpayers using I-CAN!TM E-FILE. This program guides you through a simple series of questions, with the end product being your completed state and federal tax forms. This program serves most HOUSEHOLDS WITH SIMPLE TAX SITUATIONS. Don’t lose out by paying high fees to commercial tax preparers who promote high interest Refund Anticipation Loans.

Tax return assistance will be available over the phone through CILS at 800-743-8941 or through a link on the CILS web-page at www.calindian.org beginning Friday, January 16, 2009.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The program is specially designed to ensure that eligible taxpayers claim the EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT. The EITC is a special credit for low-income workers. It is often overlooked, even though it can add THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS to your tax return.

Help with Special Indian Tax Issues
CILS helped with development of the ICAN! E-FILE program to ensure that many of the special income tax issues facing Indian taxpayers are addressed. For more information, visit the i-can efile website.

Help Spread the Word!
CILS needs your help to spread the word around the California Indian community. Here’s what you can do:

  • Use your tribal newsletter. Contact us if for a sample newsletter blurb or longer article.
  • Make announcements at Tribal meetings, or other large gatherings.
  • Post and distribute flyers and posters about our tax services or mail them directly to your tribal members. You will receive these in the mail from our office soon!
  • Place flyer inserts in paycheck envelopes of Tribal employees. You don’t have to be Indian to use this service.
For more information contact Angela Medrano, CILS Staff Attorney
(760) 746-8941 or http://www.calindian.org/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The I-CAN!™ E-FILE Module was created by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County.
Not all taxpayers will be eligible for this service or the EITC

 

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 March 2009 22:25 )  

Newsflash

Taxing Indian Country: Regulation 1616

Effective Feb 10, 2012 the California Board of Equalization implements a new law re: Property Used in Tribal Self-Governance

 

CILS Tax Help Is Here

Our popular ICAN! Tax preparation service is underway! Call toll free for assistance 1-800-743-8941 or click on http://icanefile.org/?caller=23 to complete taxes on your own.


 

Questions about the Cobell Settlement?

Contact their toll free number 1-800-961-6109 or visit their website at:

http://www.indiantrust.com/

 

Prevent foreclosure: know your rights!

Click here for more info. 


 

ICWA Benchguide

Link to ICWA Benchguide

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In Memoriam

 

Beth Wylie

July 8, 1963 – January 28, 2012

CILS is very saddened to share that former CILS Legal Assistant, Beth Wylie Gjerstad, passed away on January 28, 2012 after a long and hard-fought battle with stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  Beth began her eight-year tenure with CILS in 2002 and departed in 2010 to devote her strength towards battling the disease. Her warm spirit and dedication to family and friends will always be a source of inspiration for all who knew Beth.  From her first day at CILS, when she wore her stunning navy blue suit, Beth carried herself with professionalism and consistently showed her enthusiasm for our Native client communities.  During her tenure at CILS, Beth assisted our Escondido Office attorneys on countless numbers of cases.  Happy to work behind the scenes Beth could always be counted on for a smile, even on those most difficult days. “During the most stressful times at the office, one smile from Beth and you knew things were going to get better,” remembers a co-worker.  While Beth resided in Southern California for many years, she was fiercely proud of her Seattle roots and had recently moved home to be near her family.  CILS Staff remembers her love of telling a good story, whether it was about her learning experiences at Shoreline Community College where she studied law enforcement, her take on a t.v. episode of Intervention, stories about her dog, Inga, or her latest attempted recipe.  As a single parent, Beth made innumerable sacrifices and always tried to improve as a parent.  She once wrote, “I don't think my kids know how much I really love them and I want to be better at showing that.”  But her love and care, especially of her girls, was most evident.  Beth is survived by her daughters Becca and Sarah, her son Bryan and her grandson Bailey.  A memorial fund to support her daughters is being established in Beth’s honor.  Those who wish to make donations can contact Patricia De La Cruz-Lynas at delacruz@calindian.org.  A memorial service for Beth is currently being planned (details to be posted as appropriate).

Outreach Events

Recent trainings

Sacramento Directing Attorney Alex Cleghorn speaks at Law Day - Hopland Rancheria July 2011

Bishop Advocate Jennifer Duncan holds Simple Estates "California Style" presentation at Walker Senior Center, May 2011. 

Eureka Directing Attorney Delia Parr held a Student Special Education training in Bayside, CA this past April 2011.

CILS Senior Attorney, Dorothy Alther, provides Public Law 280 training to the Karuk Tribal Council & Housing Committee at the Blue Lake Hotel & Casino

CILS staff meet with attendees after Humboldt County District Attorney Public Law 280 training

For information about upcoming outreach events, click here.