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Muscatine Legal Services

EIN 42-0960316 · Muscatine, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF MUSCATINE LEGAL SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF MUSCATINE COUNTY AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAW AND LEGAL PROCESS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$144,801
Spending
$154,523
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Highest pay
$72,282, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. MUSCATINE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDES DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO LOW INCOME RESIDENTS OF MUSCATINE COUNTY AND HELPS TO DISSEMINATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE LAW AND LEGAL PROCESSES TO THE PUBLIC. WE COVER A WIDE VARIETY OF CIVIL LEGAL PROBLEMS FACING LOW INCOME MUSCATINE COUNTY RESIDENTS. THESE INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND BENEFIT PROGRAMS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION, ILLEGAL EVICTIONS AND CONSUMER MATTERS. OUR OFFICE ALSO ASSISTS CLIENTS WITH CUSTODY AND DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE ACTIONS WHERE CHILD SUPPORT, ALIMONY PAYMENTS AND PROPERTY DIVISION MAY BE AN ISSUE. BY PURSUING THESE MATTERS ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS REALIZED FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND FOR MUSCATINE COUNTY. ANYTIME A RESIDENT CAN SECURE AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT, THEY ARE LESS RELIANT ON THE PUBLIC WELFARE SYSTEM OR THE COUNTY FOR THEIR SUPPORT. OUR OFFICE IS ALSO INVOLVED WITH THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF MINOR CHILDREN IN TWO TYPES OF COURT PROCEEDINGS. THESE ARE CUSTODY CASES AND CHILDREN IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE CASES. BY REPRESENTING MINORS IN THESE TYPES OF ACTIONS, WE ASSIST THE COURT WITH ENSURING THAT THE CHILDREN ARE PART OF THE LEGAL PROCESS AND ADEQUATELY PROTECTED DURING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. MLS DOES GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP CASES AS WELL AS DRAFT WILLS AND POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS FOR CLIENTS. IN 2017 MLS STARTED ASSISTING COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO BECAME SUBJECT TO FORECLOSURE ACTIONS. WHILE SEVERAL CLIENTS HAVE EVENTUALLY LOST THEIR HOMES IN THESE TYPES OF ACTIONS; WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS IN DELAYING SALE AND GAINING TIME FOR OTHERS TO REFINANCE OR OBTAIN CASH AND RESOURCES TO CATCH UP THEIR MORTGAGE AND SAVE THE PROPERTY FROM FORECLOSURE.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Legal Services Corporation (Washington, DC), EIN 52-1039060. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.