IRS Announces Special Saturday Hours

As part of a continuing effort to improve service this tax season, the Internal Revenue Service today announced special Saturday hours for the next four months at Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) across the country.

The special Saturday availability across the nation will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13. Offices in dozens of states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will be open during this special four-month event, with no appointments required. More than 40 locations currently plan to be open on Feb. 11, with 58 offices currently scheduled for March 11. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit a special IRS.gov page for the latest information on the special Saturday hours.

“These Saturday openings are part of the extra steps the IRS is taking to make a difference for taxpayers,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “IRS employees are working hard to help people by making improvements across our operations. These walk-in locations are critical, and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is allowing us to add more employees across the nation to better assist taxpayers this filing season and beyond. These special Saturday hours will help people get the services they need.”

The IRS encourages everyone to first check IRS.gov for information about these special openings before traveling to an office. They may even find an online resource to resolve their tax concern to avoid a trip.

At these offices, called TACs, people receive in-person help from IRS employees. Normally, these centers are not open on Saturdays, and people must have appointments to receive services.

During these Saturday hours, people can walk-in for all services routinely offered at an office, except for making cash payments. They can also ask about setting up an Online Account and getting an Identity Protection PIN among other topics.

To see which TACs will be open, visit IRS.gov/saturdayhours.

Services provided

The IRS’s Contact Your Local Office site lists all services provided at specific TACs.

If someone has questions about a tax bill or IRS audit or they need help resolving a tax problem, they’ll receive assistance from IRS employees specializing in those services. If these employees aren’t available, the individual will receive a referral for these services. IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service employees may also be available to help with some issues.

Professional foreign language interpretation will be available in many languages through an over-the-phone translation service. For deaf or hard of hearing individuals who need sign language interpreter services, IRS staff will schedule appointments for a later date. Alternatively, these individuals can call TTY/TDD 800-829-4059 to make an appointment.

Come prepared

For people visiting these offices, individuals should bring the following documents:

  • Current government-issued photo identification,
  • Social Security cards or ITINs for themselves and all members of their household, including their spouse and dependents (if applicable),
  • Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents,
  • For identity verification services, two forms of identification and, if filed, a copy of the tax return for the year in question.

During the visit, IRS staff may also request the following information:

  • A current mailing address,
  • Proof of bank account information included on a tax return to receive payments or refunds by direct deposit.

Tax return preparation options

While tax return preparation is not a service offered at IRS TACs, information will be shared about available local free tax preparation options. Help is also available using the following services:

  1. Eligible individuals or families can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To find the closest free tax return preparation help, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.
  2. To find an AARP Tax-Aide site, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 1-888-227-7669.
  3. Any individual or family earning $73,000 or less in 2022 can use tax software through IRS Free File at no cost. There are products in English and Spanish.
  4. MilTax, a Department of Defense program, offers free return preparation software and electronic filing for federal tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. It’s available for all military members, and some veterans, with no income limit.

Help available 24/7 at IRS.gov

The fastest and easiest way for people to get the help they need is through IRS.gov. Go to www.irs.gov for more information. Available resources include:

For additional information on available services, see IRS Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation Funds

The TEGNA Foundation awarded $7,000 to the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The funds will help support the Cancer Institute’s Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps to provide community-based cancer screenings to individuals who are not up to date with breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer screenings. The TEGNA Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in communities served by TEGNA Inc. The Community Grant program serves to address local community needs. TEGNA Inc. is the parent company of our local ABC TV affiliate, WNEP-TV.

Penn State Scranton Begins Library Construction

Penn State Scranton’s Library Building is undergoing a $13.1 million renovation that will dramatically change both the front and back facades of the structure and include technology and interior updates aimed at making the facility a premier learning environment.

Built in 1970, the Library Building also houses the campus’ nursing program labs and support spaces on the first floor, as well as faculty offices, and library spaces on the second floor.  

The existing nursing facilities were designed for what was then a two-year associate degree nursing program. Penn State Scranton now offers a four-year bachelor of science degree in nursing that requires patient simulation training and debriefing spaces, as well as additional learning spaces, for this growing program. 

The library currently serves anywhere from 250 to 400 students per day. In an average semester, students check out and use its textbook reserves over 1,000 times. It has not been significantly updated in over 50 years, and in its current state, is not capable of meeting all of the needs of the campus community. 

The renovation project will consolidate the nursing program into one area on campus and provide additional room for nursing faculty, teaching spaces and labs, including patient simulator labs. A new lower-level entrance will improve ADA accessibility to the building and increase the nursing program’s visibility on the campus. 

The library space will be transformed to make it suitable for the 21st-century student. Improvements include an increase of study rooms from two to five; a devoted quiet study space for students; an updated instruction classroom that allows for more interactive class time; numerous power outlets at convenient locations; and book stacks at heights and locations that allow for natural light. 

Overall, plans also call for: ADA compliant restrooms; improvements and additional space for the building mechanical systems, including the HVAC system, which will be improved in both areas for occupant comfort and energy efficiency; installation of LED lighting; a more accessible lobby area; a public elevator; the addition of a lactation room; and enhanced site connections to the campus’ walkways. 

“This renovation project will help grow enrollment in the nursing program, thus graduating more nurses from Penn State to help address the shortage of nurses currently being experienced in northeast Pennsylvania,” Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan Wafa said. “The library project will provide a comfortable and encouraging space for our students to study and improve access to all the resources of Penn State’s library system, helping our students to succeed academically.” 

Penn State Scranton Nursing Program Coordinator Justina Malinak said her department is looking forward to the facility improvements, which will help further future growth and development in the program and equip campus nursing graduates for the evolving healthcare environment. 

“While the library always has provided, and will continue to provide, stellar services to the Penn State campus community, this newly renovated space will help to draw students to the campus and provide current students with a more comfortable and safe space to study,” said Jennie Knies, head librarian of the Scranton campus and Nesbitt Libraries and co-director of the Commonwealth Campus Libraries. 

Construction is expected to be complete in January 2024. In the interim, the nursing department has moved its simulator labs and faculty to the campus’ Gallagher Conference Center and the Library is operating out of space on the ground floor of the Dawson Building.

A $13.1 million renovation project will update the Classroom-Library Building at Penn State Scranton to consolidate the nursing program into one area on campus, and provide additional room for nursing faculty, teaching spaces and labs, including patient simulator labs, among other improvements. 
Credit: Penn State

Goodwill Now Offering Free Job Club

Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania in partnership with the Scranton Area Community Foundation is now offering a free Job Club to members the community. The Job Club offers networking, social supports, skills training, work assessments, and job seeking tools for job seekers to effectively match with employers from our community.

Aveanna Healthcare Celebrates Forever Nurse

Aveanna Forever Nurses are a special group of clinicians who have cared for the same patient for ten or more years. Aveanna Healthcare is always excited when they can help a nurse and patients’ family find the perfect fit. Nurse Angela is the newest Aveanna Forever Nurse. Angela’s dedication, compassion, and heart for care have made a difference in her patient’s life over the past decade.

COLTS Announces New Route

The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) announced the addition of Route #32 Taylor/Walmart Express Route after receiving feedback from passengers and drivers. In an effort to continually improve services, COLTS will now provide express bus transportation to/from the Taylor Commons to the Lackawanna Transit Center on the new route.

Misericordia University Now a Chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing

Misericordia University’s male nursing club, The Men of Mercy is now one of three universities in Pennsylvania to be an official chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing. Richard Hennigan, MSN Ed, RN-BC, assistant professor of Nursing and advisor of The Men of Mercy, says, “We encourage male nursing students and registered nurses from other institutions who may want to join our chapter. I hope this will help recruit new students to consider Misericordia’s nursing program.”

NeighborWorks’ Kathi Tavera Receives HUD Certification

Kathi Tavera, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Homeownership Specialist, recently received her HUD Housing Counseling certification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “We’re thrilled for Kathi to receive her HUD certification. This is a huge step for her professional development, but it also speaks volumes to her commitment to helping homeowners and homebuyers in the local community,” said Jesse Ergott, President & CEO of NeighborWorks.

Allied Services Scranton Transitional Rehab Unit Recognized as Best Nursing Home

Allied Services Scranton Transitional Rehab Unit has been recognized as a 2022-23 Best Nursing Home by U.S. News & World Report. The unit achieved a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible evaluation rating by U.S. News, for Short-Term Rehabilitation. Located within the non-profit Scranton Rehab Hospital, the facility and its care team routinely earn national recognition for patient care and patient outcomes.