Don't Mess With Taxes

With Tax Day over, most U.S. taxpayers are done with their annual Internal Revenue Service interaction.

Some, however, are dealing with non-filing issues. For those who need help resolving those tax matters, the IRS is opening some Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) doors across the United States for one more Saturday. This coming one. May 14.

TACs in 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, will be open and offering face-to-face help from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time) on Saturday. Unlike other TAC sessions that require weekday appointments, there's no need for such scheduling on May 14 at the open offices listed in the table below.

Tax prep in PR only: This coming Saturday is the fourth and last open, unscheduled TAC day (so far) this year. The first one was in February, followed by one in March, and a third in April.

"We're offering Saturday office hours so people can get the help they need," said Ken Corbin, Taxpayer Experience Officer and IRS Wage and Investment Division Commissioner. "We recognize and understand not everyone can get to an appointment during normal business hours."

One change this upcoming TAC no-appointment Saturday is that IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) community partners will be available at the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, office providing free tax preparation.

PR taxpayers who can't make it to that TAC on May 14 can get filing help by used the VITA/TCE Locator Tool. Entering Zip Code 00638 will get the territory's taxpayers a 100-mile radius search of open VITA sites.

Note, however, that tax return preparation will not be available at any other U.S. TACs on May 14. If you do need help to file your extended tax return, some VITA operations are still providing services. You also can use the online locator tool to find any still open near you.

Try IRS online resources first: During the previous Saturday sessions, the IRS says taxpayers have asked about tax identity theft and ways to protect against it, obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and payment options. TAC representatives also can help with obtaining tax transcripts and forms, resolving the Advance Child Tax Credit and COVID-19 Recovery Rebate Credit payments, and answering audit questions.

While the TAC personnel are happy to help Saturday visitors with these matters, the agency notes that help in these areas also is available at IRS.gov, usually in Spanish as well as English.

Arrive prepared: If you do find you need (or want) face-to-face tax help beyond what's online, then by all means head to the TAC near you that's open this Saturday. But make sure you're prepared.

First, there's the coronavirus issue. Yes, thanks to virus variants, the IRS continues to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines. 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 ITINs for members of their household, including spouse and dependents (if applicable), and
• Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents.

Also, if you plan to request identity verification services, you must bring two forms of identification and a copy of the tax return filed for the year in question, if they filed a return.

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 at the Saturday open TACs. 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.

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