With the recession pushing more Americans into poverty, PALawHELP.org offers critical help in learning about and obtaining much-needed tax credits.

PALawHELP.org, part of the national LawHelp.org network of nonprofit legal information portals, offers a variety of free tools and information for those grappling with tax preparation.

Tax resources accessible from PALawHELP.org include easy-to-understand information about both state and federal taxes, including fact sheets for those facing a variety of special circumstances; information about rebates and tax credits, including the earned income tax credit; links to sites offering free tax filing; referrals to organizations that offer free or low-cost help; information on avoiding tax scams; and more.

The site includes a link to a free electronic filing system known as I-CAN!® E-File. I-CAN!® E-File, which was developed by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County (California), can be used to file federal returns as well as state tax returns for FREE in California, Michigan, Montana, New York and Pennsylvania. A user of I-CAN!® E-File just answers simple questions on each screen presented and I-CAN!® E-File completes their tax return.

“With millions of Americans facing job loss and other fallout from the economic crisis, it’s essential that families receive all the benefits they’re entitled to,” said Mark O’Brien, Executive Director of Pro Bono Net. “LawHelp makes it easier for them to obtain these important benefits, and find other needed information, by putting tax resources, referrals and tools on one user-friendly site.”

PALawHELP.org is Pennsylvania's online source of free legal aid referrals, know-your-rights information and a variety of self-help tools. In addition to tax information, PALawHELP.org maintains information on a wide variety of legal topics; materials designed to assist unrepresented individuals navigate the courts; listings of free or low-cost resources for legal assistance; and extensive information on the state and federal courts located in Pennsylvania.

PALawHELP.org is maintained by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. in conjunction with Pro Bono Net, a nonprofit leader in increasing access to justice for the disadvantaged. PALawHELP.org was launched in 2001 and now serves more than 100,000 visitors a year.

LawHelp.org, PALawHELP.org and I-CAN!® E-File, the free electronic tax filing system, were all developed with support from the Legal Services Corporation.