IRS Offers Local Help, Phone Line for Oil Spill Victims

Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Mobile and several Gulf Coast cities will be open this Saturday July 17 to provide help to taxpayers impacted by the BP oil spill.

Help will be offered Saturday, July 17, at the IRS office at 1110 Montlimar Drive in Mobile from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Representatives from the Alabama Department of Revenue will also be on hand to answer state tax questions.

Individuals who have questions about the tax treatment of BP payments or who are experiencing filing or payment hardships because of the oil spill will be able to work directly with IRS personnel at any of these locations on Saturday.

The IRS has also set up a dedicated phone line for victims of the Gulf oil spill –– 1-866-562-5227. This special toll-free line is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will also be open to callers on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time.

The following IRS centers will also be open July 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time:

651-F West 14th St., Panama City, Fla.
7180 9th Ave. North, Pensacola, Fla.
2600 Citiplace Centre, Baton Rouge, La.
423 Lafayette St., Houma, La.
1555 Poydras Street, New Orleans, La.
11309 Old Highway 49, Gulfport, Miss.
In certain cases, IRS staff can assist oil spill victims by suspending collection and examination actions. Taxpayers who need this assistance must request it. Others may decide to continue making payments because interest will continue to accrue on outstanding balances, even if some penalties are abated.