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Friday, January 15, 2010

Eight Ways to Find Tax Help 'en Español'

Tax information can be tough to understand in any language, but it can be even more difficult if it is not in your first language. To assist Spanish speaking taxpayers, the IRS provides a wide range of free products and services.


Here are ways you can seek help from the IRS if you need assistance with your federal taxes in Spanish:


1. Get answers 24 hours a day seven days a week IRS.gov/espanol has a wealth of information accessible all day, every day for individuals and businesses. You will find links to tax-related information, disaster relief, identity theft and warnings about common tax scams that victimize taxpayers. You can also check the status of your tax refund through the online tool ¿Dónde está mi reembolso? Or even find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for people who earned less than $48,000, using the Asistente EITC on our secure Web site.


2. Get up-to-date at the Multimedia Center Watch YouTube video tax tips and listen to audio podcasts on various IRS topics in Spanish and English by entering the keywords “Centro Multimediático” into the search box of IRS.gov.


3. TeleTax is a toll-free, automated telephone service. TeleTax provides helpful pre-recorded tax topic messages and refund information. TeleTax can also help if at least four weeks have passed since you filed your return and want to check on the status of your federal refund. Having a copy of the tax return handy will help you respond to the prompts on the automated system. TeleTax is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-829-4477.


4. Toll-Free Telephone Assistance is available from Spanish-speaking IRS representatives by calling the IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040 and then pressing 8.


5. Get tax forms and publications You can view and download several tax forms and publications in Spanish directly from IRS.gov/espanol at any hour of the day or night. You can also get them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).


6. Visit the IRS Spanish Newsroom Find the agency’s most recent announcements, tips and information on recently implemented tax law that could affect you. Avoid missing any benefits and keep up to date by typing the keywords “Noticias en Espanol” into the search box of IRS.gov.


7. Multilingual Assistance at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers Don’t let a language barrier prevent you from getting the face-to-face tax assistance you may need when you believe your tax issue cannot be handled online or by phone. Multilingual services are offered to taxpayers in more than 150 languages, including Spanish, through bilingual employees and an Over-the-Phone Interpreter. TAC locations, hours and services are available at IRS.gov/individuals by clicking on the link for Contact My Local Office in the left tool bar section.



In addition to this help from the IRS, you can contact me at lancewgurel@gurelcpa.com en Espanol at any time. I have Spanish-speaking assistants on staff to assist us in meeting your tax and accounting needs.