In addition to reopening many Taxpayer Assistance Centers and providing pop-up style service to taxpayers and tax professionals in rural areas, the IRS has been opening some TACs on Saturday to help taxpayers solve their tax problems. Seventy IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be open Saturday, March 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time. Additional Saturday service will be provided on April 13 and May 18. No appointments are required.
To avoid frustration, taxpayers visiting a TAC should understand what types of assistance are available and come prepared with the information that IRS representatives will need to help them.
Services Available
During Saturday hours, taxpayers can get help with any service that is normally provided by a TAC except making a cash payment. IRS TAC representatives can help with the following:
- Signing up for or logging into an IRS online account
- Renewing an individual taxpayer identification number (or ITIN)
- Identity verification and identity theft assistance
- Accepting payments
- Tracking refunds
- Providing copies of transcripts and IRS forms
- Understanding audit and other notices
Over-the-phone translation services is available in many languages at the TACs. Taxpayers needing sign language or interpreter services may be asked to schedule an appointment for a later date. An additional appointment or a referral to the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be required for taxpayers whose situations are particularly complicated.
Taxpayers seeking help filing their taxes will not be able to receive this assistance at a TAC. Instead, IRS representatives will provide tax return preparation options that are local and free. They also might provide publications that can answer specific tax questions.
What To Bring
Taxpayers should attempt to bring everything that the IRS representative may need to resolve their issue. The IRS is always going to ask taxpayers to verify their identity. Taxpayers should bring the following documents with them whenever they visit a TAC:
- Current government-issued photo identification; and
- Social Security or ITINs for themselves and all members of their household, including their spouse and dependents (if applicable).
Taxpayers needing assistance with identity theft or identity verification should bring two forms of identification and, if filed, a copy of the tax return for the year in question.
For notice or audit assistance taxpayers should bring copies of all pages of all IRS correspondence and tax returns and tax-related documents (for example, copies of W-2s and 1099s) for the tax year(s) referenced in the correspondence.
During the visit, IRS staff may also request the following information:
- A current mailing address; and
- Proof of financial account information included on a tax return to receive payments or refunds by direct deposit.
In other words, be prepared to prove that you are who you say you are and that you bank where you say you bank if you are seeking TAC assistance with releasing a refund that is due to you.
Conclusion
In addition to the Saturday hours, expanded hours are also available at some TACs on Tuesdays and Thursdays for taxpayers who need an evening appointment. Taxpayers can use the IRS’ TAC locator service to find their nearest center and to check on the availability of extended hours. Taxpayers should, however, remember that weekday service requires making an appointment via phone at 844-545-5640.
The expanded hours are part of the IRS’ efforts to better assist more taxpayers by meeting them where they are. Effectively, the IRS is acknowledging that many taxpayers cannot visit a TAC during the workweek, while others live far away from the nearest center. Funding for many of these efforts was provided in the Inflation Reduction Act. For taxpayers who prefer or need face-to-face help with resolving an IRS issue the changes are welcome and beneficial.
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