Question: Thank you for the information about the debt collectors the IRS is using in some cases (808ne.ws/kline421). I think this is a bad idea. They know there are scammers out there already. It seems like those harassing calls were finally starting to go down, and now this. Anyway, I also have a question on this topic: Can these debt collectors come to your house?
Answer: Yes, tax collectors (either Internal Revenue Service employees or contractors) may make unannounced visits to delinquent taxpayers at their home or place of business, according to the federal tax agency.
There are three main reasons for in-person contact by IRS employees or contractors, two of which could generate unannounced visits, according to the agency.
IRS civil enforcement employees or contractors may stop by a taxpayer’s home or place of business unannounced to discuss taxes owed or tax returns due.
IRS criminal investigators may do so in the course of an investigation. These are badge-carrying federal law enforcement agents who would not demand any payment.
The third type of in-person visit involves taxpayers who are being audited, but those taxpayers would have been notified by mail first to set up the appointment.
The IRS is aware that impostors might try to capitalize on its new practice of using private companies to collect some overdue tax bills, which we wrote about last week. The agency is publicizing information to help people avoid being scammed. We’ve published many of the tips before, and you can also read them at 808ne.ws/irsknock.
One reminder: Never make a federal tax payment to any entity but the U.S. Treasury.
Most Kokua Line questions on this topic are about scams that don’t actually involve the IRS. However, in case you do have federal tax past due, we’ll mention the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (808ne.ws/bofrtax), which outlines tenets the IRS must follow.
Q: I heard that the Waimanalo People’s Market takes EBT now. Don’t they all?
A: No. Four of the 25 People’s Open Markets on Oahu accommodate the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, which allows people on public assistance to spend their cash or nutrition benefits using a debit card, according to the city.
The People’s Open Markets at Waimanalo Beach Park, Waipahu District Park, Wahiawa District Park and Kaumualii Street in Kalihi have what the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation described as EBT exchanges, where welfare recipients may use their EBT cards to buy $1 tokens good at any market vendor. Vendors also accept cash.
The markets are designed to make surplus fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and other agricultural and aquacultural products available at an affordable price. Each of the 25 outdoor markets is open once a week for about an hour. You can learn their locations, hours and whether they accept EBT at 808ne.ws/ebtpom.
Auwe
Auwe to the well-intentioned but misguided motorists stopped at traffic intersections who give money to homeless panhandlers holding cardboard signs. I saw one young couple begging who later held a puppy at the same intersection, perhaps to get more sympathy donations. … Almost every establishment I shop at has help-wanted signs in their store windows. … (For homeless people who are unable to work), there are better ways to help, such as by donating to established outreach organizations. — A reader
Mahalo
Thank you to the gentleman who returned my purse, which I left on a chair on the Safeway patio on Beretania Street last Tuesday morning. Thank you for turning it into Cassidy. I was very stressed because all of my IDs for work were in there. It is nice to see that there are good people with integrity out there in a world like this today. — Sincere thanks, L.D.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
