Norton Urges D.C. Taxpayers to Use VITA Sites to File Taxes Before April 15 In Light of Major Reductions in IRS Services

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the April 15 deadline for filing taxes approaches, the office Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) alerted residents that due to budget cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), after April 15 there will be substantial reductions in IRS services and resources, both in-person and over the phone. In addition, most Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the District of Columbia will close on April 15, although Norton is working with VITA sites to encourage as many as possible to remain open after April 15.

Norton also met with IRS officials this week pressing the agency to provide more resources to VITA sites. VITA sites provide free tax services, particularly federal and state income tax preparation, to individuals who earn $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers. VITA tax preparers are volunteers, which limits their availability, but all have been certified by the IRS. Norton said residents should go online to https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call 1-800-906-9887 to find their closest VITA site. The IRS District of Columbia office (77 K Street NE) also has three self-help electronic kiosks that residents can use to file their federal and D.C. income taxes free of charge. Low-income residents dealing with disputes with the IRS, including audits, appeals, collection matters, and federal tax litigation, should visit a District of Columbia Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about/litc).

"Congressional budget cuts to the IRS have set the IRS back significantly in providing vital customer service," Norton said. "Yet congressional statutes require Americans to file federal income taxes or face penalties. I urge residents to use the free VITA sites near them before April 15. D.C. residents, who pay taxes without voting representation in the House and Senate, should not have to pay to pay their taxes."