Need Tax Help?

If you're unemployed or having a tough time financially in this down economy, the IRS says they can offer help this tax season. We talked with IRS representative, Peggy Kaufman, Wednesday at the Mobile office. She says one way they can help is they can prepare your taxes for free if you make less than $49,000 a year. If you owe back taxes, she says they're more lenient this year in settling that debt, "if somebody does have a tax debt coming up after they file this year, the only thing is please file on time, the biggest penalty is not filing on time. We'll work with you if you owe that tax and cannot pay it but to avoid that large penalty file it on time, file an extension and then we will be glad to work with you, you have an extension of time to pay, we have an installment agreement we can work with you," said Kaufman. The Mobile IRS office will be open extra hours this tax season. In addition to being open Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30, you can also stop in on Saturdays from 9 until 2, except on Easter Saturday. For more information on tax help you can go to their website at IRS.gov. If you don't have access to a computer you can call 1-800-829-1040.