Flush with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Internal Revenue Service is expanding its Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide and starting events to help taxpayers who don't live close to the agency's in-person offices.
In these new community assistance visits, the IRS will set up a temporary Taxpayer Assistance Center to give taxpayers from underserved areas face-to-face meetings with IRS agents. Visits will take place through October in at least seven locations. The initial list includes Alpena, Michigan; Hastings, Nebraska; Twin Falls, Idaho; Juneau, Alaska; Lihue, Hawaii; Baker City, Oregon; and Gallup, New Mexico.
The agency conducted the first event last month in Paris, Texas, and has plans to hold similar events in more states. Paris, Texas, was selected in part based on its distance to the closest permanent TAC, which is about 90 miles away.
"While an important part of [helping taxpayers] involves providing improved online tools and services, in-person assistance is a vital piece that the IRS cannot overlook," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, in a statement. "These special community visits are designed to get into places where IRS offices are a long distance away or are not convenient for some taxpayers."
For years, observers have noted that IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers are too limited in number or are too far to help many people who need in-person assistance or who don't have access to online tools. The IRS has opened or re-opened 35 TACs since the IRA funding was approved and hired more than 600 personnel in the centers.
The 35 re-opened centers are in:
- Glendale, Arizona;
- Colorado Springs and Grand Junction, Colorado;
- Fort Myers, Florida;
- Rockford and Bloomington, Illinois;
- Overland Park, Kansas;
- Prestonsburg, Kentucky;
- Augusta, Maine;
- La Vale and Hagerstown, Maryland;
- Greenville, Mississippi;
- Joplin, Missouri;
- Lincoln, Nebraska;
- Trenton, New Jersey;
- Santa Fe, New Mexico;
- Queensbury, Binghamton and West Nyack, New York;
- Greensboro, North Carolina;
- Bend, Oregon;
- Altoona and Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania;
- DASE (Guaynabo) and Ponce, Puerto Rico;
- Jackson and Johnson City, Tennessee;
- Longview, Texas;
- Fredericksburg, Vienna and Charlottesville, Virginia;
- Bellingham, Washington;
- Parkersburg, West Virginia;
- La Crosse, Wisconsin; and,
- Casper, Wyoming.
To get help, taxpayers must bring a current state or government-issued photo ID and any relevant letters or notices they have received from the IRS, plus any requested documents. During the events, the IRS also welcomes tax pros, lawyers and preparers and their clients to work on account-related issues.
Professional foreign language interpretation will be available in many languages. For deaf or hard of hearing individuals who need sign language interpreter services, IRS staff will schedule appointments for a later date. Alternatively, these individuals can call TTY/TDD (800) 829-4059 to make an appointment.
Taxpayers who would like to get help can call (844) 545-5640 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to make an appointment to visit an existing TAC.
