| 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.
Tax time also means scam time
There's no good news that some crooks won't find a way to spoil. As the U.S. Department of the Treasury announces that every taxpayer is getting a check as part of an economic stimulus package, consumer advocates are expecting some to take advantage of the windfall. Every year, scammers use tax time to go ‘‘phishing'' for people's bank account numbers and Social Security numbers. Scammers may send e-mails or make phone calls claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service and promising a quick refund. Their goal is to get bank account information or Social Security numbers. News of the stimulus checks will be no different, advocates say. ‘‘We can absolutely count on scams like that,'' said Bob Brammer, spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General's office. ‘‘The reason we expect it for sure is because we always have IRS scams,'' he said.
IRS offices to offer help with filing your return
MOUNTAINSIDE — Internal Revenue Service offices throughout New Jersey, including Paramus and Paterson, will be open on Saturday to help residents file a return in order to receive their federal stimulus rebate. IRS personnel will be on hand to answer questions about the economic stimulus payments and file tax returns, which people must do — even if they would not normally file a tax return — to receive a stimulus payment. That includes about 500,000 New Jersey residents, the IRS said. "We don't want any Americans to miss out on their economic stimulus payment," IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said. "For millions of Americans, filing a tax return is not routine. Their income is either too low or not taxable. But this year, filing a 2007 tax return is the only way to receive an economic stimulus payment." More than 300 IRS locations will be open nationally on Saturday from 9 a.m.
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