The University of Galway Tax Clinic, which aims to aid people from marginalised or under-represented sections of society in understanding their entitlements, tax rights and responsibilities and how to manage their own tax affairs.
Founded in 2020 as a pilot project for students, the Tax Clinic began in the University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics. In the three years since, the clinic’s collaboration with three local organisations; COPE Galway, SCCUL Enterprises and more recently, Focus Ireland, has expanded the reach and impact available for people requiring advice and aid.
Working under a one-to-one, confidential consultation model with student advisers, who are supervised by tax professionals, the service users receive ‘tailored support’. Through its collaborative work with local organisations, the Tax Clinic organisers say that they have been able to ‘identify and respond to specific unmet needs for tax education across various community groups’, making personalised tax assistance and compliance guidance for those who otherwise may not have been able to ‘access or afford it’.
Assistance and service offered by the Tax Clinic cover a range of areas, including information on: tax credits, tax owed / due to those who have recently become unemployed, the tax implications of having multiple jobs, and how to get your tax affairs in order before or after emigration and immigration.
An informed and empowered society
The first of its kind clinic was opened by local TD and Minister for State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, on Monday, November 6, with Minister Naughton praising the clinic’s establishment for answering the call from citizens who are struggling to navigate the tax system.
“What makes the Tax Clinic truly remarkable is its commitment to expanding beyond the university’s borders and reaching out to the wider community. By partnering with local organisations, they’ve bridged the gap and answered the call for assistance from citizens who require these valuable services. This is a significant step towards a more informed and empowered society. Congratulations to all involved.”
Described as a tool for ‘public good’, President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said, “The launch of the Tax Clinic underscores our University’s unwavering commitment to being an institution for the public good. This initiative which springs from our university community offers a vital resource for students and members of marginalised communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in navigating the complexities of taxation.
“By harnessing the collective expertise of our faculty and students, we aim to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of our community, both on campus and across the region. Information is power and by sharing information, we reduce ‘the mystique of the technique’ and give more power to those without power. This is our role as educators and as a university for the public good.”
At the Tax Clinic’s opening, Emer Mulligan, Director of the Tax Clinic and Personal Professor in Taxation and Finance at University of Galway, said “The foundation of this clinic is rooted in justice, dedicated to assisting those who are under-represented. The clinic’s primary focus is on tax education, aiming to aid individuals to manage their own tax affairs and understand their tax rights and responsibilities. Our overarching goal is to educate and assist marginalised citizens with their tax compliance in a setting that is both free and confidential.
“The Tax Clinic’s services have proven increasingly important amid financial instability for many, exacerbated by COVID-19 and rising costs of living. I am very grateful to have such an impressive group of tax students and professional advisers giving their time and expertise on a pro-bono basis to make this initiative possible.”
