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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Texas Programs Help Taxpayers Handle the IRS

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011   

SAN ANTONIO - The new year marks the start of tax season for many Americans - but tax collectors work year 'round. Free guidance is available for low-to-moderate-income Texans trying to respond to Internal Revenue Service requests, which could come at any time.

The nonprofit Texas Taxpayers Assistance Project is among the available resources. Its director, Polly Bone, says getting singled out can be intimidating - especially for those with limited reserves - but there is help.

"Assistance with IRS controversies. If somebody has gotten a letter from the IRS that they need to respond to, or they owe a tax debt, we can represent them before the IRS. We also can do cases before the U.S. Tax Court."

Whether going to tax court - the final step in settling many tax disagreements - or applying for a compromise settlement, Bone says people are often surprised to find that the IRS can be flexible.

"If you understand, a little bit, the rules and processes - and you have to be persistent sometimes."

Bone cites a variety of situations in which people on limited incomes could use some guidance. For example:

"People who are on Social Security benefits only may owe taxes from prior years when they were working. The IRS may try to take part of their benefits to pay those back taxes. We can help stop that."

While the Earned Income Tax Credit benefits many lower-income taxpayers, Bone says it might also result in an audit. Victims of identification theft have other tax challenges, she says, and can feel overwhelmed clearing their name with the IRS.

Taxpayers who need help preparing basic returns can seek a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant through the local library or by calling 211 to contact their local VITA program.

The Texas Taxpayers Assistance Project, part of Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, is available to south and central Texans who earn no more than 250 percent of the federal poverty level. More information is online at trla.org. The state's two other legal aid providers can assist taxpayers in other regions; Lone Star Legal Aid (lonestarlegal.org) covers east Texas and Legal Aid of Northwest Texas (lanwt.org) serves remaining areas.


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