AUGUSTA – As part of the effort to provide top-quality service to America’s taxpayers, the IRS has awarded $6 million for legal assistance this year to low-income taxpayer clinics.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc. in Portland received a $70,000 grant to operate a clinic this year.

The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic grant program, now in its third year, is designed to help organizations provide low-cost legal assistance to taxpayers to resolve tax disputes. Organizations operating independent taxpayer clinics can qualify to receive up to $100,000 in matching funds through the program.