IRS opens its doors on Saturday

The IRS says some 300 its walk-in offices will be available to assist taxpayers this Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, local time. Click here and then click the link to Taxpayer Assistance Centers for a downloadable list of participating offices.

All IRS offices are open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Anyone is eligible for free tax assistance, but the agency particularly stresses its availability to retirees, disabled veterans and others filing a tax return solely to receive the economic stimulus payment (rebate). Click here and scroll to the bottom of the screen for a list of documents the IRS recommends you have at the ready when you visit.

The IRS also sponsors a free phone-in help line. Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently assessed this service, as well as several free online tax-help services and found the IRS help somewhat useful, but not always accurate. (The IRS itself acknowledges that its service is geared more toward simple returns and toward the mechanics of filing.) If you have complicated tax questions, you are better off talking to a professional, we found.