The Internal Revenue Service is looking to hire. And these are not tax time, part-time positions. These are permanent, full-time jobs.

Keli Singleton, IRS National Recruiter in Independence, says there is money available to hire people and the agency is looking for recruits – especially those wanting to be revenue agents. She says anyone wanting one of those jobs will need to possess a degree in accounting and/or a CPA license.

“We’re recruiting, right now, for revenue agents,” said Singleton. “And revenue agents require 30 hours of accounting.”

Work experience is not essential, but is an asset.

“Basic accounting or any type of professional accounting work,” explained Singleton. “But anyone that has just a bachelor’s degree in accounting will qualify for the job – but persons that have actually worked in the field or the industry would be more qualified.”

The IRS has a variety of different positions available in addition to revenue agents. They include administrative clerks, engineers, financial analysts, and economists. Potential hires include recent college graduates, out of work professionals, and professionals looking for new challenges.

Information on available jobs can be found at the IRS Careers site .

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

For most Missourians, the end of the income tax filing season usually means the end of contact with the Internal Revenue Service – at least until next year. But some Missourians are receiving letters from the IRS – or at least from people claiming to be connected to the IRS – asking for personal information. The warning from the Internal Revenue Service is that people should not provide personal information such as Social Security numbers to anyone asking for that information.

Michael Devine, IRS Media Relations Specialist for Missouri & Kansas, points out the IRS already has your Social Security number and other pertinent tax information and will not contact you for that kind of information.

“There are always scams, especially after filing season, having to do with refunds and people trying to trick you into giving away information to get your refund – and this is not how we do business,” said Devine. “If the IRS has a question about your tax return we’re going to send you a letter and that’s the first time you’re going to hear from us.”

And nobody from the IRS will call you on the phone or send an e-mail to obtain information.

“It’s not going to be an e-mail. It’s not going to be a phone call,” said Devine. “We’re going to send you a letter explaining what the question we have is and then give you a number and a name to call so that you know who to contact in the IRS to settle any questions that we might have.”

The bottom line here is that Missourians should not provide information to anyone calling on the phone or requesting information via e-mail – and a letter asking you for information the IRS should already have is probably a scam, too.

“We’ve had reports that a lot of people are receiving official looking e-mails that claim to come from the IRS,” said Devine. “And basically these are crooks trying to steal your personal information.”

Devine says the Internal Revenue Service has identified nearly 1400 unique phishing sites that use the IRS logo or otherwise purport to come from the IRS. You can verify whether a contact is legitimate or report a possible scam by contacting the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

The Internal Revenue Service estimates 39 percent of all individual returns filed in Missouri will be mailed in the old-fashioned way.

Though more returns are filed electronically than in hard copy, mailed returns are still expected to increase over last year, the Postal Service reports, because more Americans are expected to file tax returns this year.

"The most common mistakes Americans make in mailing their forms are not including enough postage and not providing the correct IRS mailing address," the Postal Service says. "After the first ounce – which usually covers about four, letter-sized sheets – mailers need to add 17 cents for each additional ounce."

"Post offices are not extending retail hours on tax day so customers are encouraged to mail early in the day."

Reportedly, 20 percent of all Americans wait until the last week to file their returns.

This is the third year Post Offices are not extending hours, but want to remind everyone to get forms mailed early in the day, says Valerie Hughes, spokeswoman for the Gateway District in St. Louis.

"In today’s world, our customers have many alternatives to mail things," Hughes told the Missourinet. "We have contract postal units, we have the automated postal centers, and of course, tax day comes the same time every year, so Americans can plan for it." 

To find the correct Internal Revenue Service address for your tax forms, visit the IRS.gov Missouri page .

Jessica Machetta interviews Valerie Hughes [Download/listen MP3]

It’s less than a month from the April 15th due date for filing 2008 income tax returns and the Internal Revenue Service is offering some advice to anyone who might need some help filling out those forms.

Michael Devine with the IRS in St. Louis says some low-income earners might be eligible for help from the IRS, itself, but others are responsible for their own tax filing. And, he says a tax professional might be called upon to help out. But he cautions the taxpayer should be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

Devine points out the taxpayer whose signature is on the bottom line is the person who – at the end of the day – is responsible for the accuracy of the return, so it is important to select a preparer with a good reputation.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)