Taxpayers get fresh start at taxpayer assistance centers throughout Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Taxpayers who have fallen behind on their taxes got a chance at a fresh start at different taxpayer assistance centers throughout Florida.

Tax agents from the IRS say no matter what people should file their taxes, but in tough times many haven’t especially the unemployed.

 One of those people is Zerlee Sutton, who showed up at the West Palm Beach taxpayer assistance center at 7:45 a.m. when the center didn’t open until 9 a.m., in order to get help.

 "I didn't file them originally because I hadn't worked since 2008,” she said. “I just kind of put it on the back burner, hoping that I would get a job and then file them all together."

 But she didn’t because she didn’t find a job, which she said has caused her many problems. Zerlee isn’t alone though, of the dozens who joined her in line Saturday morning before the doors opened many of them were unemployed.

 "We see a lot of that,” IRS Senior Tax Consultant Peggy O’Malley said. “Last year especially with unemployment and a lot of them were surprised that they had to file and pay a little."

 O’Malley said many of them get confused that they have to pay, but not paying over three years can result in you losing your refund or other consequences.

 "We do want to work with everybody,” she said. “But we do want to make sure that everyone files and if they don't file one we will be contacting them."

 Finding the taxpayer to contact them, can be added stress on the taxpayer especially if they’re already dealing with the stresses of the job.

 Sutton said that’s how it is for her and one reason why she came in outside of tax season to try and catch up.

 "I like to straighten all of this out and get back on the right track for next year for filing,” Sutton said. “So when I'm able to file for my school there won't be any problems."