Need face-to-face help with taxes? The IRS will open offices on select Saturdays in March, April and May 2023 to assist with tax questions.
Every once in a while procrastination pays off. If you aren’t among the more than 19 million or so people who already filed a 2022 tax return by early February – and could use a little help – this is for you. (Plus, the deadline to file for most people this year is April 18, so you still have some time to get it together!)
On select Saturdays for the next three months, IRS employees will be working on the weekends. The Internal Revenue Service recently announced Saturday hours for face-to-face help at dozens of Taxpayer Assistance Centers in the U.S. You can check here for a list of the open offices in your area. The weekend availability is planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on March 11, April 8 and May 13.
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No appointments are required, according to the IRS. At least 58 locations are currently scheduled to be open for the March 11 date. The IRS encourages you to visit the IRS.gov page that lists the locations for the most up-to-date details.
“These walk-in locations are critical, and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is allowing us to add more employees across the nation to better assist taxpayers this filing season and beyond,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. Normally, the centers are not open on Saturdays, and people must have appointments to receive services.
During these Saturday hours, people can walk-in for all services routinely offered at an office, except for making cash payments. They can also ask about setting up an Online Account and getting an Identity Protection PIN among other topics.
WHAT TO BRING
For those planning to get help in person, here’s what you need to bring:
- Two forms of identification, including current government-issued photo ID
- Social Security cards or ITINs for yourself and all household members, including a spouse and dependents (if applicable)
- Any IRS letters or notices received (and related documents)
- If filed, a copy of a tax return for the year(s) in question
During the visit, IRS staff may request the following information:
- Current mailing address
- Proof of bank account information included on a tax return to receive payments or refunds by direct deposit
FREE TAX RETURN FILING OPTIONS
While tax return prep is not a service offered at IRS tax assistant centers, information will be available about free tax preparation options. Help is also available using the following services:
In your local community: Those who qualify can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To find the closest free tax return preparation help, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.
AARP Foundation: To find an AARP Tax-Aide site, visit the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
IRS Free File: Any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2022 can use free tax software through IRS Free File. (Products are in English and Spanish).
For military families: MilTax, a Department of Defense program, offers free return preparation software and electronic filing for federal tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. It’s available for military members, and some veterans, with no income limit.
MORE FREE HELP AT IRS.GOV
Another way to get free tax help is through IRS.gov. where these resources are available:
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