IRS opens offices to help filers

Justin Willett

Mar. 20, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The Internal Revenue Service has dubbed tomorrow "Super Saturday" and plans to open more than 250 IRS offices around the country from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help people prepare their taxes and to answer questions.

The nearest IRS office is in Jefferson City at 3702 W. Truman Blvd., IRS spokesman Michael Devine said.

Services offered tomorrow will include preparing basic tax returns for qualifying individuals with income less than $42,000, answering tax law questions and making arrangements for people unable to pay their taxes in full.

There is no income limit on services other than tax preparation.

"The extra day of service at the IRS walk-in offices will help people who may not be able to seek assistance during the workweek," Devine said in an e-mail, noting taxpayer assistance centers normally are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Devine said the IRS is working with people affected by the recession who might not be able to pay their total tax bill. He said they could be eligible for an installment or deferred payment plan.

Also, families that have lost jobs or income might become eligible for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is for people who work but do not earn a lot of money. The credit adds an extra $2,000 benefit on average, Devine said.

Locally, none of the volunteer tax assistant centers will be open tomorrow.

Cyrus Harbourt, who oversees the AARP Tax-Aide program, said the IRS didn't coordinate with local community groups about tomorrow's event. "We're all taking a pass on Super Saturday," he said.

The AARP program assists individuals with tax returns, Harbourt said, and does not have salary or age limits for participation. It is open 3 to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. Ninth St.; and 9:15 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway.

University of Missouri Extension offers taxpayer assistance, but its service is closed beginning tomorrow for spring break. It will resume normal hours March 30. It operates 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the basement of Stanley Hall, which is east of Memorial Union on the MU campus.

Central Missouri Community Action offers tax assistance for low-income people on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Boone County Family Resource Center, 400 Wilkes Blvd.

Individuals can put their names on a waiting list beginning at 8 a.m., and help is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reach Justin Willett at 573-815-1715 or e-mail jwillett@columbiatribune.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0037-33280281