IRS, state offer help with tax problems
By Russ Lynch
Star-BulletinHawaii taxpayers who are having problems with either federal or state taxes will be able to meet with tax officials later this month if they make appointments. The Internal Revenue Service and the state Department of Taxation have scheduled "problem solving days" to help taxpayers who have had their payments misapplied, who haven't received refunds, have disagreements over unpaid tax bills or unfiled returns, or other problems.
The one-on-one meetings will be held on Maui and in Honolulu and those not able to attend will able to call an "800" number to get connected to a "taxpayer advocate" who can help resolve the difficulty, according to the IRS.
Paul Beene, director of the IRS Pacific-Northwest division, which includes Hawaii, will be here with other IRS and state tax representatives.
On Maui, Problem Solving Day is Jan. 27, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in One Main Plaza Building, 2200 Main Street, Wailuku. The Honolulu sessions will be on Jan. 29, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., in room 2-122 of the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana.
To make appointments with federal agents call 1-800-829-1040. Callers should stay on the line after a list of menu options until they get an operator, the IRS said. For state agents, on Maui call 984-8515 and on Oahu call 587-1791.
For those who can't come, federal advocates are at 1-800-829-1040 and state advocates are at 587-1791.
Janet Fujii, a state spokeswoman, said it is the first time Hawaii has joined in the problem solving meetings.
"We'll try to resolve some of them before the date if possible," she said. The number of tax personnel on hand to help will depend on the number of appointment requests, she said.
