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The Tax Game
Has Always Had Rules.
Most people just were never taught it.
This course changes that.
Nobody teaches you taxes. Not in school. Not at your first job. Not when you start earning your own money. And yet the rules that determine what you owe — or what you get back — have been the same since the beginning. This course puts you in the room where it finally gets explained.
The premise behind every UMEUS Prevention & Awareness sessionWhat This Course Covers
How the Tax Calculation Actually Works
From gross income to taxable income to what you actually owe — the full picture, explained simply. You'll see how the same math has always applied and why understanding it changes everything about how you approach your money.
Deductions — Reducing What You Owe Before You Owe It
Standard deduction vs. itemizing. What counts, what doesn't, and how most people leave money on the table without knowing it. We cover the most common deductions available to working people, families, and self-employed individuals.
Credits — Dollar-for-Dollar Money Back
Credits are more powerful than deductions — they reduce what you owe directly. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, education credits, and more. We'll walk through who qualifies and how to make sure you're claiming what you've earned.
1099 Income & Gig Work — The Tax Rules Most People Miss
When you're paid without taxes withheld — freelance, gig apps, cash — the IRS still expects its share. We explain exactly how self-employment income is taxed, what quarterly payments are, and how to avoid a surprise bill at year-end.
Why People End Up in IRS Trouble — And How to Stay Out
The most common reasons people receive IRS letters: unreported income, underreporting, missed filings, estimated tax errors. We go through each scenario, explain how it happens, and show you exactly what to do — and not do — to stay ahead of it.
Reading Your Own Tax Transcript
The IRS has a record of everything tied to your Social Security number. We'll show you how to pull your own wage and income transcript, what to look for, and how to use it to confirm your information before you file — the same way a tax professional would.
You'll Leave With
A clear understanding of how your tax bill is calculated — so no number surprises you
Knowledge of the deductions and credits you may be leaving unclaimed
A plan for 1099 or gig income so you're never caught off guard
Confidence to read your own IRS transcript and catch errors before they become problems
The ability to recognize the warning signs that lead to IRS notices — and avoid them
Free resources to share with friends and family who need the same knowledge
Ready to learn the rules
nobody taught you?
Free. Live every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CST — in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
First session: Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Bring a friend.
You Have Three Resources
the Federal Government
Already Paid For.
You have more options than you think. And they're all free.
VITA
Free, IRS-certified tax prep for unfiled returns
LITC
Free legal-level representation for active IRS issues
TAS
Free independent advocacy when the system stalls
If any of these apply to you — you belong here
Unfiled Tax Returns
One year or many. There's a free path to getting caught up — with no judgment.
IRS Notice or Letter
You received something and aren't sure what it means or what to do about it.
Balance Due or Payment Plan
You owe money and aren't sure if you can pay it — or if there's another option.
Identity Verification Issue
The IRS is asking you to prove who you are — or someone filed using your information.
Refund Delay
Your refund should have arrived weeks ago. You don't know why it hasn't.
Lien or Levy
The IRS has taken legal steps. It feels serious. There are still options — and time may matter.
What This Course Covers
The IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights — What It Actually Means
The law gives every taxpayer 10 fundamental rights. We walk through each one in plain language — because knowing your rights changes how you engage with the IRS entirely. This is the knowledge most people don't have going in.
VITA — For Those Who Need to File (Or Catch Up)
What VITA is, who qualifies, where to find your nearest site, what to bring, and what to expect on the day. If you have unfiled returns — from one year or several — this is your path forward.
LITC — Free Legal Help for Active IRS Issues
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics provide free or nearly free legal-level representation. We explain what they do, how to access one, and which types of IRS issues they're best equipped to handle — including notices, audits, levies, and payment disputes.
TAS — Your Independent Advocate Inside the IRS
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is a fully independent office funded by the federal government to help people when the IRS system isn't working for them. We cover what cases TAS handles, how to open one, and when TAS is the right call.
Reading an IRS Letter Without Panicking
We go through the most common IRS notices — what they mean, what the deadlines are, and what action (if any) you need to take. Knowing what a letter actually says is the difference between a manageable situation and one that spirals.
What to Do in the Next 7 Days — A Practical Action Plan
Every attendee leaves with a clear, personalized checklist of their next steps based on their specific situation. No vague advice. Real actions. You'll know what to do when you walk out — and UMEUS will follow up to make sure you don't do it alone.
You'll leave this class knowing:
- ✓Exactly what your legal rights are as a taxpayer — and how to use them
- ✓Which of the three free federal resources applies to your specific situation
- ✓How to read your IRS letter without fear — and what it's actually asking for
- ✓What VITA, LITC, and TAS can do for you — and how to access each one
- ✓Your personal next steps — a real action plan for the next 7 days
- ✓That you don't have to figure any of this out alone
If you have an IRS issue —
don't wait another week.
Free. Live every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CST — in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
First session: Wednesday, April 29, 2026. No judgment. Just answers.
Your treatment plan was sent to your email — bring it to class and we'll walk through it together.
