The IRS centers offer free tax preparation and electronic filing for those whose 2009 household income was $49,000 or less. Individuals will also be able to get assistance with issues such as IRS garnishments, bills, notices or collection letters. Installment agreements can usually be set up for those who owe tax but are not able to pay the full amount when they file. In addition to IRS help, there are about 180 tax help sites in 57 Tennessee counties where community organizations are partnering with the IRS to provide free tax preparation and e-filing. Some of these sites are open Saturdays. To locate the help site nearest you, call 2-1-1 or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-906-9887. People seeking tax return preparation help at any location should bring: photo identification (for each spouse, if applicable); Social Security cards for each person listed on the tax return; all wage and earnings statements (Forms W-2); interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099); copy of last year’s tax return; bank information for direct debit or deposit (optional); and any other pertinent income and expense documents for tax year 2009. For IRS office addresses and normal weekday hours, visit IRS.gov and click on Contact IRS or call IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040.

In light of all the tax-and-regulatory threats, it’s too expensive to hire right now. So get rid of all the so-called stimulus plans and social policies to transform the government’s relation to the private economy. Remove these obstacles.