On March 9 the IRS 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.  
     One of these steps includes five Tennessee IRS Centers holding an open house for people struggling to meet tax responsibilities on at 2 p.m. March 27.
     Saturday office hours will give struggling taxpayers more opportunity to work directly with IRS employees to resolve issues they may be facing this year for the first time.  
     The five Tennessee IRS Centers holding the open house are located at  5740 Uptain Rd. in Chattanooga, 2513 Wesley St. in Johnson City, 710 Locust St. in Knoxville, 22 N. Front St. in Memphis and 801 Broadway in Nashville.
     During the expanded Saturday hours, taxpayers will be able to address economic hardship issues, make payment arrangements or get help claiming any of the special tax breaks in last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the Homebuyer tax credit (for new buyers and long-time homeowners who buy another home), American Opportunity Credit (for college expenses), Making Work Pay Credit (for many who worked in 2009), Expanded Earned Income Credit (for lower-income workers).
     In addition to IRS help, community organizations partner with the IRS in tax return preparation and e-filing. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs assist people who earned $49,000 or less and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs assist individuals age 60 and over.
     Many of these help sites have Saturday hours while others offer assistance at various times during the week.  To locate the partner sites in your area, call 1-800-906-9887.

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