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Washington, D.C.—With Tax Day less than a week away, a survey of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees conducted by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) yielded helpful tips for last-minute filers in these particularly taxing times.

“IRS employees want taxpayers to know that they are here to help and their job is to ensure that taxpayers are given the opportunity to be compliant,” said President Colleen M. Kelley of NTEU, the union that represents IRS employees.

For last-minute filers rushing to meet that April 15 deadline, IRS employees had these top tips:

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Don’t forget to sign and date your forms! “This is the most common reason for getting a form sent back to you,” said one survey respondent. If you are sending a paper return, you must sign and date it and you must include an original, not photocopied, signature. If it is a joint return, both spouses must sign it. If it is signed by a fiduciary agent, or court-appointed representative, a copy of those legal papers is required. And, be sure to include your daytime telephone number on your return. Having a telephone number on your return may be the difference between getting your refund in two weeks as opposed to four or six weeks if there is a question.

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Review your return for accuracy, computation or math errors. Be sure that you have read all the questions in their entirety before responding.

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Make a copy of your return for your records before sending it in. Keep all documentation that you used to prepare your return, i.e. charitable donations receipts, child care verification, etc.

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Be sure to check the Social Security numbers and names of yourself, your spouse, and any dependents on your return. Be sure the names match those on the Social Security cards. Name and Social Security number mismatches can cause a delay in receipt of your refund.

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If you want your refund direct-deposited into your bank account, double-check to be sure the routing number and account numbers are correct; the account is open and the account is in your name.

IRS employees surveyed wanted taxpayers to know that the IRS has a wide range of options to help financially-struggling taxpayers, including the ability to extend an Offer in Compromise (OIC), an agreement between a struggling taxpayer and the agency that settles a tax debt for less than the full amount owed; postpone, extend or suspend collection activities for limited periods of time; or create an installment agreement or allow for a flexible payment schedule.

IRS employees strongly encouraged financially-struggling taxpayers to reach out to the IRS by calling the tollfree number 1-800-829-1040 or by visiting a walk-in IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center for face-to-face assistance. Low income, elderly, disabled and limited English-speaking taxpayers can qualify for free assistance. All necessary forms can be found at www.irs.gov.

Said one employee surveyed, “There are different programs available to taxpayers who cannot pay their full tax due. There is the OIC program, installment agreements, short term extensions, and several other options. IRS employees can help explain these programs and what the qualifications are.”

Be sure to file your return on time and contact the IRS for help. Said one employee, “Regardless of whether you can or cannot pay, be sure to file your return. The penalty for not filing is far greater than for not paying.”

IRS employees can also help taxpayers who have lost or are missing records by giving them tips on how to recreate records. Noted one respondent, “For taxpayers who don’t have all their information, they should file an extension which gives them an additional six months to file a return.” Those who file for an extension should pay estimated taxes to avoid interest and penalties, they said.

Biting the bullet and dealing with your obligations upfront is the best policy, the employees agreed. “Don’t let things slide,” said one. “Keep in touch with IRS so we can help you through problems.”

Already filed your 2008 taxes? Here is a tip for next year. “Start each new year with a large envelope to place your receipts, medical and dental bills, and any filing information needed to complete that year’s return.”

The voluntary survey was completed by employees from across the IRS including customer service representatives, tax examiners, tax law specialists, attorneys, analysts, tax examiners, revenue agents, revenue officers, case advocates, appeals officers and more, all of whom offered their best advice to taxpayers.

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments, including more than 90,000 in the IRS.