Taxpayer centers open extra hours

Several Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Centers will expand service to area taxpayers eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit by opening their doors on three Saturdays: Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20.The extra days and hours are being added to these IRS walk-in offices' schedules to help taxpayers who may not be able to seek assistance during the work week.

"EITC can be a financial boost for working people hit by tough economic times, but last year, one in four eligible taxpayers missed out on this money because they did not properly claim the credit, said Mark Hanson, IRS spokesperson for the Carolinas."Generally speaking, taxpayers who earned less than $49,000 in 2009 may be eligible for a tax credit of nearly $5,700 depending upon factors like their total income, filing status, and number of dependents," he said.Taxpayers wanting to know whether they qualify can visit the following IRS offices on Jan. 30, Feb. 6 or Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

Charlotte: Five Resource Square, Suite 1-300 10715 David Taylor Drive.

Greensboro: 320 Federal Place.

Hickory: 115 Fifth Ave. NW.

Raleigh: 4405 Bland Rd.

Wilmington: 3340 Jaeckle Drive.

IRS personnel will be available to answer questions, offer information about the EITC, provide publications about this credit and help prepare returns.

Taxpayers not in these areas can find the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center nearest them by visiting IRS.gov. A list of local IRS offices may be found at www.irs.gov/localcontacts/ .

Aside from IRS offices, taxpayers may also receive assistance at more than 12,000 free tax assistance sites nationwide. Taxpayers can locate the most conveniently located Volunteer Tax Assistance Site in the Carolinas by calling the United Way's 2-1-1 helpline, AARP at 1-888-227-7669 or the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Whether taxpayers are seeking assistance at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, a free income tax preparation site or from a professional tax return preparer in the Carolinas, they should bring certain documents with them, including:

- Valid driver's license or photo identification (self & spouse, if applicable)

- Social Security cards for all persons listed on the return

- Dates of birth for all persons listed on the return

- All income statements: Forms W-2, 1099, Social Security, Unemployment, or other benefits statements, self-employment records and any documents showing taxes withheld

- Dependent child care information: payee's name, address and SSN or TIN

- Proof of account at financial institution for direct debit or deposit (e.g. cancelled/ voided check or bank statement)

- Prior year tax return (if available)

-Any other pertinent documents or papers

For more information about the EITC and to find out if you qualify, visit IRS.gov. On the IRS Web site, you'll find the EITC Assistant, an online tool to help taxpayers determine whether they are eligible for the credit.

Taxpayers looking for the IRS online should type www.irs.gov into their Web browsers. Taxpayers should also beware of Web sites that may resemble IRS.gov but end in .com, .net, .org, .biz or any other domain name extension. For the genuine IRS Web site, it's IRS.gov.