IRS moving Cedar Rapids office Nov. 21

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids office of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service is moving from downtown to the city's southwest side.

The agency plans to close its existing taxpayer assistance center at 425 Second St. SE on Nov. 16 and reopen on Nov. 21 at 3205 Williams Blvd. SW. The IRS said in a news release the 7,344-square-foot building will better accommodate agency staffing and space needs.

Vermaas & Sons, a Lincoln, Neb., real estate developer, is leasing the building to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the IRS. The GSA leases a similar building owned by Vermaas at 3165 Williams Blvd. SW for the U.S. Social Security Administration.

The IRS will continue to offer services at the new location by appointment. Taxpayers requiring assistance should call (844) 545-5640 to schedule an appointment, and should check IRS.gov for days and hours of service as well as services offered.

'We've found that many people who were planning to come to a taxpayer assistance center were able to find the answers they need by visiting our website, www.IRS.gov,” said Christopher Miller, an IRS spokesman.

Long lines have been the norm, especially during tax filing season, Miller said.