Feb. 19--Valentine's Day might be over, but Chicagoans can now make a date with the Internal Revenue Service.
The federal tax agency Wednesday announced "a limited test" at 10 of its U.S. help centers, including one in downtown Chicago, giving taxpayers the option of making an appointment with an IRS worker.
The IRS has 350 walk-in centers.
"During a challenging filing season with a very limited budget, we need to find ways to increase our efficiency and still provide the best service possible to taxpayers," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in a statement.
Typically, most IRS offices can't guarantee when or if a taxpayer can receive help on a given day; it's on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, taxpayers might find themselves waiting more than an hour.
The test locations where appointments are available are: 230 S. Dearborn St. in Chicago; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Birmingham, Ala.; ; Denver; Fresno, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Plantation, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; and Seattle, Wash. The appointment test begins Feb. 23.
At the 10 locations, taxpayer service will continue to be offered without an appointment for those picking up certain forms or making a payment, but the IRS encourages taxpayers to use IRS.gov to get forms and Direct Pay to make payments online. All other services will require an appointment.
Additional test sites might be added in the "near future," the IRS said.
Tribune reporter Gregory Karp contributed.
byerak@tribpub.com
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