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Highlands Today

IRS Agents Return After Busy July Session

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: September 1, 2008

Updated: 09/02/2008 03:36 pm

SEBRING - Internal Revenue Service agents will be coming back to Highlands County to answer questions on stimulus payments.

Four IRS employees, along with AARP representatives, will visit Sebring, Monday, Sept. 8, and Tuesday, Sept. 9, in Lake Placid.

The IRS has estimated that 3,000 county residents - mostly seniors - are eligible for, but have not yet filed a tax form, which is required in order to receive a stimulus payment.

An Aug. 26 IRS news release and an IRS spokesman said all residents - regardless of whether they submitted a tax form or not - will have a chance to talk about their case with an IRS employee in September.

Back in July, two IRS representatives could not meet the overwhelming response when more than 150 people, mostly seniors, showed up to talk with an IRS employee in person.

Several taxpayers who had already filed a tax form were turned away without receiving help.

John L. Scott, of Sebring, waited about an hour in July and left without discussing his case.

When told on Wednesday that the IRS was coming back, Scott said he would likely come again.

"I don't know that they made a mistake," said Scott. "But I'm going to check it out."

Mike Dobzinski, IRS spokesman, later apologized for what he said was an overwhelming and unexpected response.

"We feel that we need to service these people in this area again who feel they weren't getting service before," said Dobzinski Tuesday. "We are going to help anybody who walks in.

"Our main objective is to assist people to prepare forms who didn't file. We will help those who walked away disappointed last time. Whatever we have to do, we want to help that person who walks in."

People who do not usually file a tax return may be eligible for a stimulus payment of $300 for single filers and $600 for couples filing jointly, if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income in 2007.

Qualifying income could have included any combination of wages, tips, combat pay, or self-employed income. Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits (but not SSI), plus those receiving railroad disability payments or Veteran s benefits might be eligible.

Dobzinski said there are 18 IRS offices statewide and there has never been an IRS office located in Highlands County. The closest office is in Lakeland.

Those seeking assistance preparing stimulus payment returns must bring proof of identification and income, as well as their Social Security card or a print from SSA or the VA showing their Social Security number, said the IRS.

A driver's license or state ID is needed as proof of identification. Proof of income could include Forms 1099 form Social Security or Railroad Retirement or a monthly statement showing benefits, a monthly statement from the VA or W-2s showing earned income or nontaxable combat pay.

Here is the schedule for the IRS sessions:

Monday, Sept. 8, at the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, 227 U.S. 27 N., Sebring, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 9, at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 43 Lake June Road, Lake Placid from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m

Bill Rettew Jr. can be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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