HASTINGS – The IRS is coming to Hastings.
For taxpayers holding their breaths, Nebraska IRS Spokesperson Christopher Miller assures Nebraskans that nobody’s in trouble; in fact, the arrival of agents in the Cornhusker State is meant to put everybody a little bit more at ease.
“The IRS is holding community assistance visits in select cities in the U.S. through October in an effort to reach out to taxpayers where they are in places that work best for them.”
The IRS has selected Hastings as its third of 8 stops on the tour for its balanced proximity between distributed populations out of state and its nearest permanent Taxpayer Assistance Center in Lincoln, nearly 200 miles away for the nearest Central Nebraskan.
Miller says the IRS is currently focusing on expanding its in-person taxpayer services for often neglected areas outside its central offices.
“These community assistance visits are a way for the IRS to give taxpayers in underserved communities a chance to meet face-to-face with IRS representatives.”
Miller goes on to say that just because the assistance center is a bit more “mobile” than its urban counterparts, it by no means will skimp on services.
“It’s a great opportunity for folks who’ve maybe gotten a letter or notice from the IRS, or who maybe have to verify their identity with the agency, or maybe just have basic tax law questions. It’s a chance to sit down with someone and get your questions answered.”
In addition to those services Miller mentions, the assistance center will offer help with wage and bank account levies, adjustments, and payment arrangements. The center will also help taxpayers order transcripts and tax forms and provide information on the IRS’ online resources.
Walk-in and appointment options are available; Miller says that while the center can be flexible, taxpayers should arrive relatively prepared to make their conversations as productive as possible.
“We would tell people that if you’re going to come by, make sure you bring all the stuff that’s going to get your question answered, like a photo I.D., or a driver’s license, or any relevant letters that you might’ve received: last year’s tax returns, Social Security card, your checkbook, those sorts of things will ensure that we can help you as quickly as possible.”
For 3 days the agency will take in-person questions on all things tax-related at the Hastings Public Library at 314 Denver Avenue through its temporary assistance center: from Tuesday, August 1 through Thursday, August 3, the center will be up and running between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
