68 Walk-In Offices Under IRS Budget Knife

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While walk-in business has dropped over the past two years, 7.7 million people still went to the centers, Kelley said. She pointed out that some offices had reduced their hours and that taxpayers were told to make appointments and come back later for help on tax returns. That may have depressed the numbers.

Everson said the IRS considered 32 factors in deciding which offices to close, including census data on income, how many residents were older than 65 and what other tax preparation services were available in an area.

"I think we have done a fair job," he said.

Kelley said the NTEU will begin a grass-roots campaign to block the IRS plan and will ask members of Congress for help.

The IRS plans to close offices in 29 states. The targeted offices include one in the district represented by Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and three offices in Montana, home of Sen. Max Baucus , ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.

Both committees oversee tax policy and the IRS.

E-mail:barrs@washpost.com

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