RELATED: The IRS Warns You Could Get Fined for Forgetting This on Your Taxes. On March 15, the IRS released a new statement, announcing that it has broadened its operations “in an effort to provide American taxpayers with the service they deserve.” According to the tax agency, the latest expansion of its multilingual products is allowing the IRS to now offer Braille, text, audio, and large print products in Spanish. “It’s critical that the IRS provides information to people in multiple languages and formats to help them meet their tax responsibilities and receive important tax credits,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. “This is another milestone in our ongoing efforts to expand our assistance to more people. I’m extremely proud of our employees’ significant efforts and strong desire to make a huge, positive difference in this area during the last several years, which has been assisted by our partners in the nation’s tax community. We are proud to continue focusing on this area.” The IRS’ Alternative Media Center (AMC) will convert its individual income tax return, its main schedules, and six different publications in Spanish Braille and large print, the agency said. To elect to receive your future notices from the IRS sent in Braille, Spanish Braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats, you will need to complete the agency’s Form 9000—which is also available in Spanish Braille and large print Spanish. “Taxpayers can include the completed form with their tax return, mail it as a standalone form to the IRS, or call 800-829-1040 to elect their preferred format,” the IRS explained. If you’ve already received a notice and do not have an alternative media designation on file, you can fax or mail the letter back with a note stating your preferred format. RELATED: For more financial news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. The IRS is continuing to expand its multilingual resources. According to the agency, some of its current offerings include the IRS Free File tool with two free electronic tax preparation options in Spanish, and the “Let Us Help You” page, which is available in seven languages. For blind or sight-impaired individuals, the IRS also offers a number of tax forms and publications in a variety of formats that include text-only, Braille ready files, browser-friendly HTML, accessible PDF, and large print.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb If you have questions about the agency’s expanded accessibility services, you can contact its direct Accessibility Helpline. “Help for multilingual taxpayers is also available on the helpline through the over-the-phone interpreter service,” the IRS said. But “this helpline does not have access to taxpayers’ IRS accounts,” the agency noted. The IRS has a site that allows taxpayers to access basic tax information in 20 different languages as well. According to the agency, you can find helpful guidance such as how to check a refund status, pay taxes, or file your federal tax return in languages including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Polish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. “We know that tax information can be hard to understand in any language. It can be even harder if that information isn’t offered in the language you know best,” the IRS says on its webpage. “We’re translating our tax resources into more languages. Until we do, we’re offering basic tax information in these twenty languages.” RELATED: The IRS Just Sent Out This Urgent New Warning to Taxpayers.
