IRS Cutbacks Slowing Taxpayer Assistance, but Jackson Hewitt® is Ready to Help

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, only 60.5% of taxpayers who called the IRS' toll-free number got through to a live person, and that was after extended wait times. This year, with the sequester cutting IRS staff, will be even more challenging for taxpayers looking for assistance. The Presidents' Day holiday kicks off what is generally one of the busiest weeks of the tax-filing season for IRS phone lines— and the IRS is urging taxpayers to go online with questions, instead of calling. But Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® wants them to know they can call their local Tax Pros at Jackson Hewitt®.

"Three years of budget cuts and sequestration have cut IRS budgets, staff, and training," said Mark Steber, SVP & chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "That leaves taxpayers with fewer options when it comes to support from the IRS. But at Jackson Hewitt, we are taking calls. Our offices are fully staffed and ready to help. Taxpayers may not be able to reach someone at the IRS, but they can reach us."

To ask questions, for more information, or to make an appointment, visit JacksonHewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an industry-leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with approximately 6,500 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States, including locations in Walmart stores nationwide, and Sears stores in the United States and Puerto Rico in the 2014 tax season. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service also offers an online tax preparation product at www.JacksonHewittOnline.com. For more information, or to locate your neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office, visit www.JacksonHewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. Most offices are independently owned and operated.

Contact:
Jennifer Minchin
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
[email protected]

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.