IRS to Host Las Vegas Tip Earner Problem Solving Days in February

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 | midnight

Note: The following is a news release issued Friday by the IRS.

IRS to Host Las Vegas Tip Earner Problem Solving Days in February

SAN DIEGO — The Internal Revenue Service, in partnership with the Culinary Union, the Casino Industry and the American Gaming Association, today announced it will host two Problem Solving Days in early February for Las Vegas tip earners.

Two sessions, one on Feb. 3 and one on Feb. 5 will provide a “one-stop” shop to interact with the IRS for tip earners who have questions and/or need assistance in filing prior year tax returns.

“We realize a number of economic factors have hit the Vegas area especially hard and we needed to reach out to help the tip earning community,” IRS Employment Tax Chief John Tuzynski said. “We hope by adjusting rates and holding problem solving days taxpayers will get useful IRS assistance.”

Although walk-in tip earning taxpayers will be assisted, the IRS recommends making a problem solving day appointment. An appointment gives the IRS a chance to research the account beforehand aiding resolution on or before the Problem Solving Day. To make an appointment, tip earning taxpayers should call (702) 868-5179 and speak with someone from the Taxpayer Advocate’s office.

IRS personnel will be on hand at both locations for five/six hours each day. Details for both days:

February 3, 2009 – At the Culinary Union, local 226 at 1630 South Commerce Street from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Plenty of free parking will be available.

February 5, 2009 – At the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel at 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas from 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Plenty of free parking will be available.

In Las Vegas, the vast majority of tip earning employees participate in the Gaming Industry Tip Compliance Program which is designed to ease recordkeeping and promote voluntary compliance related to tip income.

Participating and Nonparticipating employees who have questions about their tax obligations, or need resolution assistance are encouraged to attend either session. All attendees should bring appropriate paperwork and organized records to ensure accurate resolution.

Federal tax information including current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers can also call the national toll-free IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040.