The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is rolling out the red carpet for procrastinators by extending the hours of their customer service call center. As that April 15 tax filing deadline looms, the Revenue Secretary Pat Browne announced that the department is throwing late filers a lifeline. "We know from our experience that many of our fellow Pennsylvanians who have personal income tax questions benefit from speaking directly with one of our trained representatives on the phone," Browne said. That extra phone help is lined up just in time to tackle those last-minute tax troubles.
Starting April 9, taxpayers can ring up the Customer Experience Center (CEC) at 717-787-8201 during the newly minted hours: from 8 AM to 7 PM on weekdays – and, get this, even on Saturday, April 13 from 10 AM to 3 PM. These extended hours are a godsend for those racing against the clock.
For folks who prefer a digital touch, there's always the Department's Online Customer Service Center. It's a treasure trove of FAQs and allows taxpayers to drop a question just like sending an email – secure and simple. And those brick-and-mortar types aren't left out, either. District offices are standing by, Monday through Friday, ready to assist – just make sure to call ahead and pack your Social Security card and a photo ID.
Refund trackers, take heart – the status of your refund is but a few clicks or a call away. By visiting the Department's homepage and clicking on the "Where's My Income Tax Refund?" link, or calling 1-888-PATAXES, the mystery of your refund's whereabouts will be solved – just have your Social Security number and the refund amount you're expecting at your fingertips.
The state's also peddling a nifty online filing tool, mypath.pa.gov, which lets taxpayers file that PA-40 form without coughing up a dime. What's more, there's no fuss with creating accounts; filing and payment are as smooth as can be. And for those who made over $33 in taxable income last year, remember – the clock's ticking all the way to the stroke of midnight on April 15. More details can be jammed into your tax-filing brain by visiting the official announcement.
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