Now, That Wasn’t So Taxing

It was tax time alfresco at Dana Point Harbor on Sunday as about 50 taxpayers sought help from IRS employees who set up an instant office on the boardwalk for four hours.

Help for the filing-afflicted included answering questions, filling out forms, recording electronic filings and even setting up refunds.

“Monday is D-day,” said Chris Conley, a public affairs officer for the tax service. Accordingly, all federal tax offices in Southern California will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to offer assistance.

IRS employees will even help you fill out your state return, Conley said.

At Sunday’s seaside event, a few taxpayers came carrying thick folders as they asked for help or got a computer printout of a missing form.

But taxpayers seeking help weren’t limited to those with the simplest 1040-EZ filings, Conley said. In a few cases, taxpayers who stopped by to complete the filing process asked for help doing mutual fund dividend and interest forms, filling in schedules for a small business, or even a trust return, he said.

IRS officials reminded all filers that they will get refunds fastest by filing electronically and asking for direct deposit of the funds. Using that system, a taxpayer could see money back in two weeks. Otherwise, taxpayers can expect to see a check in six to eight weeks for a paper return mailed today, he said.