Virtual Settlement Week

Thank you for a successful Fall 2024 Virtual Settlement Week! We had 94 volunteers help with 43 cases. Thank you so much to our volunteers. Check back soon for updates on the next Virtual Settlement Week!

Virtual Settlement Week Orientation

In October 2024, the Tax Section held an orientation for Virtual Settlement Week volunteers. The orientation is full of useful information about the volunteer process and what to expect.

Resources

• Tax Information Authorization
• Model Limited Scope Representation Agreement (Word document)

What is Virtual Settlement Week?

The goal of Virtual Settlement Week is to serve taxpayers in geographic areas where it might be difficult to access pro bono representation and generally to increase pro bono representation and settle cases before trial whenever possible. Attorneys are paired with taxpayers irrespective of geography and meet virtually with the IRS attorney assigned to the case. Volunteers are encouraged to contact their assigned taxpayer prior to the settlement meeting to prepare documents and learn more about the case.

Another goal of the Virtual Settlement Week initiative is to provide hands on training for Tax Section members interested in taking on pro bono matters. Attorneys new to pro bono work or representation of individuals in controversy matters are assigned a more experienced partner volunteer to learn from during the course of assisting the taxpayer. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who would like to take cases from a local LITC or through Calendar Call, but feels like they could benefit from some mentorship.

At the inaugural Virtual Settlement Week, nearly eighty volunteers helped nearly sixty taxpayers settle, advance or better understand their cases before the IRS. The feedback from all parties was overwhelmingly positive and the IRS and Tax Section are thrilled to continue this initiative three times per year in the fall, spring and summer.

We would like to extend a hearty thank you to all of our Virtual Settlement Week volunteers.

Please reach out to Michelle Aguirre ([email protected]) with any questions and stay tuned for information about how to sign up for future Virtual Settlement Week events.

Hear from past participants:

• “The experience was great and an unexpected benefit was the opportunity to begin cultivating relationships with tax attorneys and IRS personnel who were able to witness my skills set in action.”

• “As an Enrolled Agent having specialized in tax controversy for over 12 years, I know how stressed and overwhelmed individuals and entrepreneurs feel when they have tax debt and audit problems. Virtual Settlement Week gave me a chance to help those who wouldn’t normally have access to tax assistant services.”

• “As a student and first-time participant, I felt as prepared as I could have been for participating in my case. It was a great learning experience, and I feel more prepared for similar situations in the future.”

• “I was paired with an attorney from a different state and we worked with an entrepreneur who spent the last two years overwhelmed by an audit. As a result, we saved the taxpayer over $70k in tax and penalties. All parties were happy, and I was especially proud to serve.”

Stats from past Virtual Settlement Weeks