Office of Tax and Revenue: Press Release

Office Of Tax And Revenue Offers Taxpayer Assistance, Extended Hours, During 1999 Filing Season

WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help District of Columbia taxpayers receive the information and services they need to meet their tax obligations, the Office of Tax and Revenue is offering several customer service outreach programs at its new location at 941 North Capitol Street, N.E. Seminars include everything from free District tax return preparation to small business taxpayer assistance.

"It is important for taxpayers to know that we are here to help them with their tax returns and with any tax-related questions they may have," says Dr. Natwar M. Gandhi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Tax and Revenue.

On average, the Office of Tax and Revenue is currently issuing individual income tax refunds within 13 days of receipt, compared to 45 days in Fiscal Year 1997.

A schedule of events follows:

Taxpayer Information Days where taxpayers may receive assistance with all tax-related questions.
Saturday, March 13, and Saturday, April 3, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Office of Tax and Revenue Customer Service Center, First Floor

Small Business Tax Seminar where current and potential small business owners can learn how to get started and remain in compliance with all tax laws. This seminar is a joint effort with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Employment Services.
March 18 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for tax assistance.
Office of Tax and Revenue Training Center, Fourth Floor

ANC Commissioner Briefing where commissioners can have questions answered on various tax-related topics.
March 25 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Office of Tax and Revenue Training Center, Fourth Floor

Income Tax Preparation Days where taxpayers can receive free District tax return preparation services.
Saturday, April 3, and Saturday, April 10, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Customer Service Center, First Floor

How to reach us this filing season:
Taxpayers may contact the Customer Service Telephone Information Center at (202) 727-4TAX or visit the Customer Service Center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE (First floor) for DC individual income, business, and/or real property tax information. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:15 am until 4:30 pm The phone number for the hearing impaired is (202) 442-6460.

Extended telephone hours during the 1999 tax season:
March 31 through April 11: 8:15 am to 6:00 pm
April 14 and April 15: 8:15 am to 8:00 pm

Extended hours for income tax preparation assistance:
April 1 through April 14: 8:15 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 3, and Saturday, April 10: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
April 15: 8:15 am to 8:00 pm

You may obtain DC tax forms at the following locations (through April):
Municipal Center (6:30 am to 8:00 pm) at 300 Indiana Ave., N.W.
Union Square (8:30 am to 4:45 pm) 941 North Capitol St. N.E.
Recorder of Deeds (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) at 515 D St. N.W.
Reeves Center (7:00 am to 7:00 pm) 2000 14th St. N.W.
One Judiciary Square (7:00 am until 7:00 pm) 441 4th St. N.W., 1st Floor
Potomac Building (7:00 am to 4:30 pm) at 614 H St. N.W.
Martin Luther King Memorial Library (10:00 am to 5:30 pm) at 901 G St. N.W.
The Individual D-40 Income Tax booklet is also available at other DC Public Libraries.

Please call (202) 727-4TAX if you need DC forms mailed to you, or you can retrieve forms online at http://cfo.dc.gov under "taxpayer information."