IRS to help those with tax trouble

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 9:57 a.m.

The Internal Revenue Service this week set up a toll-free telephone number for taxpayers who will have trouble meeting their federal tax obligations because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The number is (866) 562-5227. Spanish speaking officials will be on duty 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. English-speaking officials will be available 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Quarterly payments for the self-employed and others who pay through the year are due Friday.

IRS officials say taxpayers do not have to reside in the disaster areas of New York City or Washington at the time of the attacks to use the service. Questions could stem from the loss of a Las Vegas taxpayer's records to inquiries about procedure in the death of a dependent or key wage earner.

"This special number will help people cut through the red tape and get their tax questions answered quickly," IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti said in a news release. "We don't want lingering tax questions to burden anyone during this challenging time."

Taxpayers with questions not related to the terrorist attacks can call the IRS toll-free at (800) 829-1040.