The V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue has announced the reinstatement of a taxpayer assistance program that sees B.I.R. audit staff helping taxpayers with the filing of their 2021 income tax returns. The service is free and offered to taxpayers who are filing simple tax returns with B.I.R.
The Volunteer Taxpayer Assistance Program will start on all three islands on Saturday, February 26 and will run until April 9, B.I.R. said. Assistance will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. The due date to file tax returns is April 19, 2022.
On St. Thomas, the program will be at the bureau’s office at 6115 Estate Smith Bay, in Red Hook, across the street from the Red Hook dock from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. On St. Croix, the program will be held at the Bureau’s office at 4008 Estate Diamond from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. On St. John, the program will be held from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Bureau’s office at the Motor Vehicle Bureau in Cruz Bay.
According to B.I.R., taxpayers should have available a valid ID, as well as all W-2VIs, Letter 6419 (Notice of Advance Child Tax Credit Payments), 1099Rs (Retirement Income), other Form 1099s (Interest and Other Income), and Form SSA (Social Security Income) readily available when they arrive at the office.
"Please also walk with birth certificates and social security cards for dependents being claimed on the tax return," B.I.R. said. "There will be no preparation for Form 1040NR or any returns with Schedule C."
Tax filers should refer questions about the Volunteer Taxpayer Assistance Program to Perpetua Cranston on St. Croix at 773-1040, extension 4233, and to Clifford Charleswell on St. Thomas and St. John at 715-1040, extension 2271. B.I.R. said it will be adhering to all Covid-19 protocols. Taxpayers will have to wear masks and maintain the required distancing when seeking assistance at the bureau’s offices.
B.I.R. Director Joel Lee reminded the taxpaying public that it is against the law for any Bureau of Internal Revenue employee to charge fees for preparation of a tax return. Any taxpayer who can provide proof of payment to a B.I.R. employee for the preparation of tax returns is asked to call Mr. Lee at (340) 773-1040, ext. 4223 to report this violation.
Advertisements
