
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 31, 1994                   TAG: 9501030039
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

YOU KNOW THE FUN'S OVER WHEN TAX TRAINING BEGINS

With the holidays nearly ended, some people in Roanoke were preparing Friday for a different sort of activity. 'Tis the season to start thinking about income tax returns.

Both the Internal Revenue Service and Virginia Department of Taxation said many taxpayers should receive forms early next week. The IRS is sending tax packages to 109 million citizens at a cost of $17.9 million, plus another $19.7 million for postage.

Tax preparation services such as H&R Block began in September to train their workers. They have had brush up on electronic filing, changes to tax forms and updates in Virginia tax law.

In their classes, H&R Block representatives also learned a bit of advice to pass along. "We are encouraging clients to bring in their Social Security cards," said Deborah Hill, district manager.

This year, the IRS will verify the Social Security numbers of all dependents listed on returns, Hill said. A mistake on a Social Security number listed on a form could delay the return.

Taking additional steps to combat tax filing fraud is one of three areas the agency will give extra attention to during 1995. The others are improving service to taxpayers and encouraging eligible low-income workers to claim the earned-income tax credit.

Virginia's tax forms look almost identical to last year's forms - with one significant change, a state taxation department spokewoman said.

The number of people who can file the short state form, 760-S, has been expanded. Married couples filing separately and taxpayers with income other than wages, salary, dividends or interest will be able to use it.

"About 400,000 more taxpayers will be able to use the short form," said Janie Bowen. "We hope that will be a considerable reduction in their filing burden."

But some taxpayers newly eligible for short-form filing might benefit by continuing to use the long form, Bowen said. People who are unsure of which method to use should ask their tax preparers, she said.

Hope Player, a certified public accountant in Roanoke, said tax law changes on an almost daily basis.

"There are proposals out there right now that could make an impact on the 1994 returns," she said. "There is still a lot of tracking down of information left to let people know how bad Uncle Sam will get into their pockets."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

by CNB