IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers - Open and Ready to Help You

When faced with a tax issue, many individuals wish they could just sit down with someone for some personal guidance.

You can, and I'm not referring to someone who is going to charge you by the hour. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are open and ready to help you address most tax preparation and delinquent tax concerns.

The IRS has approximately 330 of these walk-in sites. In most cases, you do not need an appointment. Face-to-face assistance will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

Current year free tax return preparation is one of the services offered at the TACs. In order to qualify for free return preparation, you must be a U.S. Citizen, a Resident Alien or have a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. For joint returns, both you and your spouse must be present. Additionally, there is an income ceiling that you must fall under. As of 2010, that income limit is $49,000.

Current year returns will be electronically filed for you. Past due returns will be date stamped after you sign them and forwarded to the appropriate processing Campus.

Be sure to bring the following with you in order to be eligible for free return filing:

• Government issued photo ID for you and your spouse. ID must not be expired.
• Copies of all your payer statements (Forms W-2, 1099s, and any 1098s that show possible deductions).
• Social Security Card for you, your spouse and any dependents you plan on claiming. An Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number is also acceptable.
• Proof of your bank routing and account number if you care to have your refund directly deposited.

The local Centers can assist you with simple return preparation. Complex returns with multiple long schedules will not be prepared from scratch for you, although you may still get one on one help if you are stuck on a certain portion of the return. You may also receive general tax help and tax law guidance by calling 1-800-829-1040. A screener will transfer you to someone versed in the area of your concern.

Schedules supported at the TACs include Schedule A - Itemized Deductions, Schedule B - Interest and Dividends, Schedule D - Capital Gains and Losses (only for the reporting of 1099-C Debt Cancellations) and Schedule C-EZ (Schedule C-EZ can be used only if your business did not have a net loss, had expenses that total less than $5,000, and you do not deduct expenses for business use of your home.) Most forms and credits associated with your return can also be figured for you.

During filing season, many of the local offices are open extended hours and even on select Saturdays during the spring. TACs are closed on all federal holidays. For return preparation, especially during the filing season crunch, you may be asked to schedule an appointment to ensure that you do not have a long wait ahead of you.

To search for the closest Taxpayer Assistance Center near you, enter your zip code into the IRS TAC Site Search. You may also obtain a listing of all the sites in your state by clicking on your state on the IRS interactive map.

In addition to free return preparation, local walk in sites are happy to accept any tax payment. Full payment on returns, installment agreement monthly payments, estimated tax payments for individuals or business federal tax deposits can all be made via cash, money order or check. Checks or money orders should be made out to the United States Treasury (not IRS) and need to include your name, address, telephone number, Social Security number or Employer Identification Number, and the tax year and form (i.e. 1040 2008) for which you are paying.

You can also obtain help with general account inquiries. If you have received a notice that you do not understand, a proposed letter of deficiency, or a notice of garnishment that has been served to your employer or bank, a local representative may be able to explain it to you. However, if your account is assigned to the IRS Compliance Division (collection) or a Revenue Officer or Revenue Agent, you will need to contact that person or office directly. The TAC does not have authority to work these cases.

Other assistance available:

• Assistance in preparing an application for a Taxpayer Assistance Order. These applications are sent to Taxpayer Advocate Service, a branch of the Service designed to render support when normal channels have failed to provide you with resolution.
• Copies of your returns and or return transcripts for the current year and the prior three years.
• Multilingual assistance is generally available. Call ahead to be sure the TAC staffs an employee who speaks your language.
• Tax Forms may be available or can be printed for you.