Springtime special at the IRS

More than 250 IRS offices around the nation --and three in Kansas City -- will be open between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to provide free tax preparation and other services to taxpayers. Hundreds of other volunteer sites, on a list you can link to here, will be open too.

That may not be the favorite way taxpayers would choose to spend the first Saturday of spring, but IRS knows that this economy -and some first time calculations for things such as unemployment benefits or potential job search deductions - may make filing especially challenging this year, said Commissioner Doug Shulman.

"Our Super Saturday service will help people get refunds quickly," Shulman said. "Also, if you think you owe taxes and can't pay, please come in and talk to us about it. There are steps we can take to help."

Three Kansas City area taxpayer assistance centers, at 5800 East Bannister Road in Kansas City, 3730 South Elizabeth Ave in Independence and 5799 Broadmoor in Mission will be open for the event. IRS' main toll free tax information number, 1-800-829-1040 also will be open then.

Free tax preparation and filing help will be offered only to taxpayers with incomes below $42,000. Other help, such as working out payment plans or figuring out tax rules, will be available for everyone, regardless of income.