{"id":414166,"date":"2010-03-11T00:05:14","date_gmt":"2010-03-11T05:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davidkirkpatrick.wordpress.com\/?p=7026"},"modified":"2010-03-11T00:05:14","modified_gmt":"2010-03-11T05:05:14","slug":"irs-outreach-to-the-unemployed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/414166","title":{"rendered":"IRS outreach to the unemployed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tax season is here and tax day is looming. If you are currently unemployed, there’s a new one-year only tax break involving your unemployment checks<\/a> to take advantage of, and the Internal Revenue Service is offering additional assistance for those out of work<\/a>. Don’t get on the bad side of the IRS because your employment condition and take advantage of every break, deduction and federal assistance and advice out there.<\/p>\n

From the second link, the release:<\/p>\n

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IRS Outlines Additional Steps to Assist Unemployed Taxpayers and Others<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
Video
\n<\/strong>Owe Taxes But Can’t Pay?<\/em> English<\/a>
\nUnemployment Compensation:<\/em> English<\/a> |\u00a0Spanish<\/a>
\nJob Search Expenses:<\/em> English<\/a> |\u00a0Spanish<\/a> |\u00a0ASL<\/a>
\nFor these and other videos:\u00a0\u00a0YouTube\/IRSVideos<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

IR-2010-29, March 9, 2010<\/p>\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The Internal Revenue Service today announced several additional steps it is taking this tax season to help people having difficulties meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems.<\/p>\n

The steps \u2013\u2013 an expansion of efforts that began more than a year ago \u2013\u2013 include additional flexibility on offers in compromise for struggling taxpayers, a series of Saturday \u201copen houses\u201d offering taxpayers extra opportunities to work out tax problems face to face with the IRS, special outreach with partner groups to unemployed taxpayers and the availability of more information on a special section of the IRS Web site.<\/p>\n

\u201cTimes are tough for many people, and the IRS wants to do everything it can to help people who have lost their job or face financial strain,\u201d IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. \u201cWe continue to make adjustments to key programs and expand ways for people to get help. We\u2019re doing everything we can to help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Flexibility for Offers in Compromise<\/strong><\/p>\n

For some taxpayers, an offer in compromise \u2013\u2013 an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles the taxpayer\u2019s debt for less than the full amount owed \u2013\u2013 continues to be a viable option. IRS employees will now have additional flexibility when considering offers in compromise from taxpayers facing economic troubles, including the recently unemployed.<\/p>\n

Specifically, IRS employees will be permitted to consider a taxpayer\u2019s current income and potential for future income when negotiating an offer in compromise. Normally, the standard practice is to judge an offer amount on a taxpayer\u2019s earnings in prior years. This new step provides greater flexibility when considering offers in compromise from the unemployed. The IRS may also require that a taxpayer entering into such an offer in compromise agree to pay more if the taxpayer\u2019s financial situation improves significantly.<\/p>\n

These immediate steps are part of an on-going effort by the IRS to ensure the availability of the Offer in Compromise program for taxpayers.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of Saturday Open Houses to Resolve Taxpayer Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition, IRS will hold hundreds of special Saturday open houses to give struggling taxpayers more opportunity to work directly with IRS employees to resolve issues. The offices will be open on March 27 and three additional Saturdays in the spring and early summer. Dates, times and locations will be announced shortly.<\/p>\n

During the expanded Saturday hours, taxpayers will be able to address economic hardship issues they may be facing or get help claiming any of the special tax breaks in last year\u2019s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the:<\/p>\n