OGDEN — The Internal Revenue Service’s downtown office will be open Saturday to answer taxpayer questions regarding their 2009 returns.
IRS employees currently provide assistance for taxpayers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the office at 324 25th St. The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to help taxpayers who may not be able to come in during the week.
“This year, due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, there are several tax credits, deductions and allowable expenses that may help individuals save money on their taxes,” IRS spokesman Bill Brunson said in a prepared statement. “For example, a person may qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time because their income dropped due to fewer hours worked, were laid off or worse — lost a job. The average Earned Income Tax Credit for Utahns last year was slightly more than $2,000. Don’t guess, find out if you qualify for this credit and other tax breaks by going online to www.irs.gov or calling the IRS toll-free or dropping by the Ogden IRS office.”
IRS employees are available to answer questions on the full range of tax law provisions, such as the new allowance for $2,400 of tax-free unemployment compensation benefits, said Brunson. The most commonly requested tax forms and publications can also be picked up, and assistance in Spanish is available, he said.
IRS employees will also offer, as time permits, free tax preparation and electronic filing for individuals who earn $49,000 or less.
Utah residents who are not able to pay all their taxes owed by the April 15 filing deadline can obtain information about payment plans. Individual taxpayers will also be able to get assistance with existing issues, such as levies on wages or bank accounts, IRS notices and letters.
In addition to help at the IRS Ogden office, there are several free tax preparation sites across Utah run by community organizations partnering with the IRS.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program assists people who earn $49,000 or less, and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program assists individuals 60 and older, Brunson said. Both programs provide free tax preparation for the 2009 tax return and free electronic filing.
Many of these sites have Saturday hours while others offer assistance at various times during the week. Call 211 to locate the free tax help site nearest you.
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