A tip of the sombrero
By Herb Drill
Comprende espanol?
You don’t have to have studied Spanish or traveled to Cozumel from Texas, California, or Arizona to realize we have many neighbors and co-workers whose roots – `way back yonder, perhaps – stem from Spanish-speaking countries. For example, Florida was first settled by the conquistadores, and we all understand the word “Florida” in Spanish means "feast of flowers."
Numbers crunchers at the Internal Revenue Service may not appreciate the flora, but they dig the Spanish-speaking residents. The IRS says: You make a living here, you pay taxes – or something like that.
IRS wants to make that easier for the senors and senoras. So, if you need it, IRS provides free Spanish-language products and services. Pages on www.IRS.gov, pre-recorded tax topics, refund information, and toll-free telephone assistance are all available in Spanish.
The Spanish page (El IRS) on the Web site has links to data such as forms and publications, warnings about tax scams, Earned Income, child and various other tax credits, and more. This year, information on tax-return filing is organized conveniently and links to additional publications were added. Look for a new tool, EITC Assistant, to help you learn if you’re eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit.
TeleTax is a toll-free, automated telephone service available in English and Spanish. It provides helpful, pre-recorded tax messages and refund information. You can find more than 150 TeleTax topics in the Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ instructions. TeleTax assists if it has been at least four weeks since you filed your tax return and you want to check on the status of a refund. Having a copy of the tax return handy will help you respond to the prompts on the automated system. TeleTax (1-800-829-4477) is available 24 hours a day – but you won’t get “Jack Bauer” or Kiefer Sutherland.
You can download the Spanish language publications, or you can order them by calling 1-800-829-3676. Free telephone assistance is available from Spanish-speaking IRS representatives by calling the toll-free customer service line at 1-800-829-1040.
Also, there are some grande links:
· El IRS en Espanol is at www.irs.gov/espanol/index.html.
· IRS Services and Products Provided in Spanish/Espanol is at www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98771,00.html.
· Publication 1SP, Derechos del Contribuyente (Your Rights as a Taxpayer, 26K) is at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1sp.pdf.
Adios, amigos, y – even with the IRS – buenos dias.