IRS Tax Tip 2013-30: IRS: Four Ways to Get Free Tax Help
IRS: Four Ways to Get Free Tax Help
Many of us need information when preparing our federal income tax returns, like which form to use or how to claim a credit. The IRS offers free information and services to help taxpayers online, by phone and in person. Here are four ways to get the help you need.
1. On the Web. The IRS.gov website is your one-stop federal tax shop. Start here to find tips and information at “1040 Central.” You’ll find information about filing options, the latest news, special topics like identity theft, frequently asked questions and tax forms. You’ll also find a sample of online tools like the Interactive Tax Assistant and Where’s My Refund?
2. On the Phone. You can get free personal tax help by calling 800-829-1040. To order free tax forms and publications call 800-TAX FORM (829-3676). Check the status of your refund 24/7 by calling 800-829-4477. Call the same number to hear taped messages on more than 150 tax topics. These phone services are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Hours of service in Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific Time.
3. In Your Community. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps people who make $51,000 or less prepare and file their tax returns. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program is a similar service for seniors. Both are free and offered in many local areas. Between January and April visit IRS.gov or call 800-906-9887 for a list of VITA sites near you. To find a TCE or AARP Tax-Aide site during this same period, go to AARP.org or call 888-227-7669 (888-AARPNOW).
4. In IRS Offices. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers are located in many major cities. IRS employees offer personal assistance with a variety of tax issues. Before you visit, check the IRS website for a list of office locations, and the location-specific business hours and services offered. Visit IRS.gov, click on the “Help & Resources” tab and then click “Contact Your Local IRS Office.”
Publication 910, IRS Guide to Free Tax Services, offers more information about free tax help. It is available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM
(800-829-3676).
Additional IRS Resources:
1040 Central
Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers
Find a VITA Site Near You
Contact Your Local IRS Office
Publication 910, IRS Guide to Free Tax Services
IRS YouTube Videos:
Free Help Preparing Your Tax Return – English | ASL
Do-It-Yourself Free Tax Preparation – English | ASL
IRS Podcasts:
Free Help Preparing Your Tax Return – English
Do-It-Yourself Free Tax Preparation – English
IR-2013-27: Enrolled Agent Disbarred for Steali ng a Client’s Tax Payments and Preparing Returns with False Deductions
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) obtained the disbarment of enrolled agent Lorna M. Walker for stealing a client’s tax payments and for preparing tax returns with false deductions for multiple clients.
Walker’s enrolled agent status and her ability to prepare federal tax returns were revoked for at least five years. Walker practiced in the Seattle area.
“Practitioners who disregard their responsibilities to the tax system and their clients can expect to hear from OPR,” said Karen L. Hawkins, director of OPR. “Any tax professional who steals from a client or causes them undue tax problems is unfit to practice before this agency.”
In a Final Agency Decision, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) disbarred Walker for misappropriating client payments intended for the IRS in furtherance of an offer in compromise, and for preparing multiple returns containing Schedule C deductions for which she could not produce substantiation on audit.
Walker was engaged to represent a taxpayer in a collection matter. The client gave Walker two money orders totaling $1,500 to forward to the IRS along with an offer in compromise for delinquent taxes. It was found by the ALJ that Walker altered, endorsed and cashed the money orders for her own personal use, which are acts of willful incompetent and disreputable conduct under Circular 230.
The ALJ also found that Walker prepared Forms 1040 for seven clients claiming Schedule C deductions that were unsubstantiated and unsupportable. It was found that Walker failed to exercise due diligence in preparing the Schedule C’s thereby violating multiple due diligence provisions contained in Circular 230.
Walker also failed to respond to the administrative complaint and the motion for default judgment. The ALJ determined that because Walker failed to respond either to the complaint or to the motion for default judgment, she was deemed to admit all the allegations in the complaint, and to not oppose the default motion.
The text of the ALJ Decision can be found on IRS.gov.
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