The IRS is a very big place, and trying to get answers to your tax questions can be a daunting task. But if you know who to call at the Internal Revenue Service, you can get expert tax advice and answers to your tax questions via live telephone assistance.

Here is a list of IRS phone numbers and/or websites to get expert tax advice and/or answers to your tax questions:

For tax help and answers to tax questions for Individuals, call toll-free 1-800-829-1040, Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. your local time.

For phone assistance with tax questions for Businesses, call toll-free 1-800-4933, Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

To get answers to tax questions for Exempt Organizations, Retirement Plan Administrators and Government Entities, call toll-free 1-877-829-5500, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time.

For tax assistance for Individuals who believe they may be a victim of Identify Theft, call 1-800-908-4490 (Automated and live assistance) 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 pm. your local time.

There’s live telephone assistance available to people who live outside the United States, too! The phone numbers for tax help is available at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=101292,00.html

The IRS even offers face-to-face tax assistance in certain areas. They also have local offices you may visit to get tax assistance.

Finally, the IRS offers Taxpayer Assistance Centers at locations throughout the country. The IRS will extend hours of service at selected locations from January 31 through April 9.

As a taxpayer you have a right to get expert tax advice and answers to your tax questions directly from the source - the Internal Revenue Service.

source: irs.gov

Tax Day, April 15, is quickly approaching. It is when federal income tax returns are due and the last day U.S. citizens and resident aliens can mail their returns without incurring penalties. Even with the tax deadline just days away, individuals having difficulty preparing their income tax return can still get free tax help.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offers free tax help for taxpayers. The programs can help taxpayers by answering tax questions, offering tax advice, discussing tax problems and providing free tax return preparation assistance. Most VITA sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing)

To take advantage of the VITA program, individuals must earn less than $49,000 and cannot prepare their own tax returns.

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program provides free tax help to people 60 and older. TCE is run by trained volunteers who provide free income tax counseling, answer income tax questions and help the elderly with tax problems.

Individuals in the military can also take advantage of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program through the Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC). The AFTC consists of the tax program coordinators in all branches of the military, including the Coast Guard.

Members of the military and their families can get help with free tax preparation, having their military specific tax questions answered and consultation on any tax problem they may have.

When visiting the VITA/TCE sites don’t forget to bring the following:

• Proof of identification (Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents)
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available (if available)
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required form

For more information on TCE, call 1-800-829-1040 or log onto www.irs.gov

In this economic climate it makes sense to take advantage of the free tax help provided by the IRS.

source: irs.gov

It appears Sinbad is in so deep with the IRS, that even a tax attorney may not be able to save him.

According to the Detroit News, Sindab owes more than $8.15 million in delinquent federal taxes and the U.S. Attorney General’s office wants his house sold to help satisfy the debt, according to federal court records.

Earlier this month, an assistant U.S. attorney asked a federal judge to foreclose on several tax liens and determine whether the 53-year-old comedian is the true owner of a $1.5 million home in Hidden Hills, Calif.

Sinbad, whose real name is Sinbad Adkins, rose to fame on “Star Search” in the 1980s before starring in a string of movies like “Houseguest” and TV shows, really owns the property, the government claims.

On Dec. 11, the day after the government filed the case, Sinbad filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California, listing between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets. That might cause a slight hiccup for the IRS in pursuit of a settlement.

The IRS claims Sinbad filed federal income tax returns for years 1998 through 2006 but failed to pay the reported taxes.

Here’s a breakdown of his IRS debt:

* 1998: $2,358,563
* 1999: $1,136,002
* 2000: $1,170,451
* 2001: $953,758
* 2002: $626,045
* 2003: $542,942
* 2004: $612,367
* 2005: $157,934
* 2006: $599,663

We can all learn a lesson from this unfortunate situation. Always play it straight with the IRS, and if you are having problems with paying your federal taxes, consult a tax attorney for the right tax advice.

source: eurweb.com