Tax Help ‘en Español’

Benefit Bank tax sites: Are you helping Spanish speaking clients file tax returns?  Here are some resources for you, straight from the IRS.

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. The IRS offers a wide range of free and easy-to-use products and services for Spanish speaking taxpayers. Here are nine ways you can get 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 http://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? and even find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for many people who earned less than $48,000, using the Asistente EITC on our secure website.
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 the IRS website.
3. TeleTax is a toll-free, automated telephone service. TeleTax provides helpful pre-recorded tax topic messages and refund information. You can find a list more than 125 TeleTax topics, available in Spanish and English, in the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. TeleTax can also help if at least four weeks have passed since you filed your return and you want to check on the status of your federal refund. Having a copy of your 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. Get tax forms and publications You can view and download several tax forms and publications in Spanish directly from http://irs.gov/espanol at any hour of the day or night.
5. 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 the IRS website.
6. 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.

Links:

• El IRS en Espanol

Publication 1SP, Derechos del Contribuyente (Your Rights as a Taxpayer) (PDF 26K)

Upcoming Community Conversations

Ohio's $8 billion structural deficit leaves our state legislators with little choice but to make some tough decisions in the months ahead, decisions that could deeply affect your community and the programs you operate.

OASHF, the Ohio Job & Family Services Directors Association, and Advocates for Ohio's Future are hosting "Community Conversations" across the state and we need you to attend and speak about:

The amazing social service programs you operate, including the OBB

The state of Ohio's economy and how it is affecting your community

The support you need to support Ohio's struggling families

State legislators, media, and community stakeholders have been invited. Don't get left out of the conversation! Find your nearest Community Conversation and RSVP here.

Tax Update Webinar

Changes for 2010 Taxes will be reviewed in an upcoming webinar on Wednesday, January 12th from 12-1.  If you haven't already, please register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/231738066.

The presentation slides for this webinar will also be made available on the OASHF website.

New training site login

Tired of seeing "Authentication Failed" when you try to log on to the training site?  We now have a brand new way to login and practice with fake clients.

When you are at the training site (remember, it should have a red background), in the counselor login field type "oh" followed by any number between 1 and 500.  For example, the login field could read "oh249" The password field is still the same "tbb12345." 

Happy practicing!