| Panelists volunteer for a better IRS
If you've been wrestling with your tax forms, you might have a few words for the Internal Revenue Service. Turns out, the IRS wants to hear what you have to say, and has set up a panel of citizen advocates to listen. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel consists of 98 volunteers nationwide, including three in New Jersey, who serve three-year terms, seeking out taxpayers' thoughts and opinions. The IRS invites interested people to apply for the panel at improveirs.org or by calling (888) 912-1227. Applications must be received by April 30. The Record spoke recently with Ben Chapman, 66, of Wayne, a retired accountant who formerly worked with KPMG and Allegheny Corp. and who has been on the panel for about 18 months. Following is an edited transcript: Q. Why did you join the panel? It's a way to give back.
On stimulus payments, help to be available Saturday
The IRS and scores of its partners nationwide will open hundreds of locations Saturday -- ''Super Saturday'' -- in an effort to reach Americans who are eligible for the economic stimulus payment but who normally aren't required to file an income tax return. Help will be on hand to prepare a simple 1040A form, free, for people who are filing a return solely to receive their stimulus payment. IRS partners such as AARP, United Way of America and dozens of others also are making special efforts to reach out to those who normally aren't required to file a tax return. The locations are at the Claude Pepper Federal Building, 51 SW First Ave., downtown Miami, and the IRS Building, 7850 SW Sixth Ct., Plantation. Both will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
IRS turns to YouTube to explain rebates
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is using the Internet's YouTube to post information on tax rebates granted by Congress earlier this year. The agency has posted four segments, to prompt people to file a return and to explain who is eligible. One video advises people to watch out for scams. But, the message from viewers to the IRS is simple: Don't give up your day job. Even if she went to YouTube for tax information, those videos would not be appealing to us in the slightest, said Ithaca College senior Michele Meyer. They have no real information and the tone is almost patronizing, she told USA Today. Boring and seemingly ridiculous, Boston University junior Ashlie Chandler said. IRS spokesman Terry Lemons explained that 20 million people who normally do not file could be eligible for rebates that range from $300 to $600 per individuals and up to $1,200 for couples filing jointly.
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