Don't Mess With Taxes

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Millions of taxpayers and buckling down to complete their 2021 tax returns by April 18.

Some, however, might want to also mark April 9 on their calendars. It's the third Saturday in this filing season where certain Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be open.

That day, 40 IRS TACs in 24 states, as well as offices in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will be open for in-person guidance.

Normally, TACs are only open by appointment on weekdays. But on Saturday, April 9, taxpayers don't have to make an appointment. TAC staff will welcome walk-in taxpayers who have tax issues between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 12.

Third of four planned weekend openings: April 9 is the third such special TAC weekend opening this year. The first one was in February, followed by one in March. A final one is scheduled for May 14.

"We are inviting anyone who wants or needs some assistance to stop by," said IRS Wage & Investment Division Commissioner and Taxpayer Experience Officer Ken Corbin in announcing the April 9 openings.

"We designed these extra weekend hours to make it easier for taxpayers to resolve an issue, inquire about their account or work with the IRS if they have an obligation they cannot meet," said Corbin. "Whatever the case, face-to-face help will be available on this special day without an appointment."

Not for filling out 1040s: But before you head out, note that this coming Saturday's sessions are not to help taxpayers fill out their tax returns.

Rather, IRS agents will help with such matters as reconciling 2021 tax credits, such as the Advance Child Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate Credit that were delivered as economic impact payments last year.

IRS representatives at the Saturday openings also will provide online account assistance; resolve individuals' tax identity theft issues; help taxpayers obtain transcripts and forms; work with them on how to deal with a tax bill; and handle audit issues.

If those are tax areas of concern to you, then check out the table below for the TAC near you that will be open this coming Saturday.

Arrive prepared: While you don't have to make an appointment for the Saturday TAC sessions, you do have to be prepared.

First, there's the COVID-19 issue. Yes, thanks to virus variants, the IRS continues to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines for the coronavirus. That means people are required to wear face masks and social distance at these events.

Also, pandemic concerns could affect services and staff, meaning availability may change without notice. So double check before you head out to your TAC on Saturday. You can use the IRS special locator page, Contact Your Local IRS Office. There you'll also find all services provided at specific TACs.

As for your tax issue, the IRS urges individuals heading to the weekend TAC session to bring the following information:

• Current government-issued photo identification,
• Social Security cards and/or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) for members of their household, including spouse and dependents (if applicable), and
• Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents.

During the visit, IRS staff also may ask for your current mailing address, and, if you want to get your tax refund or make tax payments directly (which Uncle Sam highly recommends), your bank account information.

Appointments for issues that can't be resolved: Foreign language interpreters will be available. But if you're deaf or hard of hearing and need a sign language interpreter, that also will require a later meeting. The IRS says it will schedule and arrange for the signing service to be provided.

Also, if there aren't any IRS employees at your TAC's weekend session who specialize in your needed tax service, the IRS says it will provide a referral to someone who can help.

If you're having some tax matters, I hope a TAC near you is open Saturday.

Judging by the number of TACs that will be open on this third Saturday walk-in of 2022, it appears to be a success.

You also might find these items of interest:

• Don't let wrong IRS EIP or CTC letter info stop you from filing your taxes
• VITA & TCE volunteers are back, helping taxpayers prepare & file returns for free
• As Capitol Hill focuses on tax season challenges, IRS decides to keep Texas processing center open

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