IRS Communications

For Release: February 17, 2010 Release No: LA/MS-2010-3
 
Jackson, MS ~ IRS Office Open Saturday February 20
Special Assistance Available for Tax Questions and Issues

The Jackson Internal Revenue Service office will be one of 200 Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC), in more than 190 cities nation wide, to open its doors on Saturday, February 20,2010. From 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., IRS staff will provide assistance for taxpayers dealing with difficult economic times.

“There are many tax credits and deductions that may help individuals struggling in tough economic times to save money on their taxes this year,” said Dee Harris Stepter, IRS spokesperson for . “For example, this year many people will qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)for the first time because their incomes declined, their marital status changed or because of credit expansions to help people as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under the act, taxpayers with three or more children get an extra boost with a larger credit this year.”

 IRS employees in will answer questions for taxpayers on the full range of tax law provisions such as the new allowance for $2,400 of tax-free unemployment compensation benefits. Free tax preparation and electronic filing for individuals who earn $49,000 or less will be available. Most tax forms are available in the TAC, although downloadable copies of tax forms on IRS.gov can save taxpayers a trip if all they require are tax forms.

 Residents of Jackson who will not be able to pay their full tax liability by the April 15, 2010, deadline and need to ask for an installment plan can receive assistance from IRS employees in arranging appropriate payment schedules. Individual taxpayers will also be able to get assistance with existing issues such as levies on wages or bank accounts, bills and notices and collection letters.

 “We are trying to help the people of our community cope with tax related questions and issues they may never have faced before,” Stepter said. “IRS TACs are not typically open on Saturdays, but we hope making extra service available on Saturday in these 200 plus locations will help ease the burden some people are experiencing.”

 In addition to IRS help, there are more than 12,000 free tax preparation sites nationwide that are run by community organizations partnering with the IRS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs assist people who earned $49,000 or less and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs assist individuals 60 and over with their 2009 income tax return preparation and electronic filing. Many of these sites have Saturday hours while others offer assistance at various times during the week. To locate the partner site nearest you call 2-1-1 or 1-800-906-9887.