2019 National Tax Clinic Project: Melbourne Law School Tax Clinic

Abstract

In 2019, Melbourne Law School (‘MLS’) ran a tax clinic for vulnerable taxpayers under the Federal Government’s National Tax Clinic trial. The trial was administered by the Australian Taxation Office. This paper discusses the experience of setting up and running the MLS Tax Clinic in 2019. The paper covers the clinic design, the activities undertaken by the clinic (advice, representation, education, and advocacy), and the observations and reflections of those involved – clients, tax practitioners, academics, and students. The paper concludes by making several recommendations in relation to legal and administrative reform to improve the tax experience for vulnerable taxpayers.