Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are pushing the IRS to reconsider closing its Tax Assistance Center in Bangor.
With the Presque Isle center already closed, the loss of Bangor would force northern Mainers to travel to Augusta or South Portland for in-person tax assistance.
In a letter to the IRS, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said the Bangor location is already a long distance for many residents, but travel farther south to Augusta adds nearly 150 miles to the trip.
They said the Bangor closure would create significant hardship for residents who lack internet access and rely on in-person tax assistance.
They want more information from the IRS on its plans to provide service to rural Mainers with limited or no broadband access, and on whether affected households will be eligible for an extension on their tax filings.
This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.
