The IRS Tax Assistance Center in Jamestown is scheduled to re-open next week. The location closed earlier this year without notice. P-J photo by Jimmy McCarthy

Concerns regarding the unannounced closure of the Internal Revenue Service office in Jamestown, especially in the midst of tax season, appear to have been resolved.

Rep. Tom Reed announced on Friday that the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center at 201 W. Third St. will re-open Tuesday and resume office hours three days a week. Reed, R-Corning, contacted the IRS regarding the sudden closure following a story last week in The Post-Journal, which noted that walk-in assistance had not been available since Jan. 3.

So many area residents reportedly showed up at the city location seeking help that the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, located in the same building, had to hang a sign on its own door stating it didn’t have information on the closure.

After being made aware of the issue during a conference call with reporters last week, Reed said his contact led to the new office hours. The need to get the office open, Reed said, was hastened due to tax season and reports that many residents had been showing up only to find a sign stating the location was “closed until further notice.”

“Our office has been in contact with the IRS to find a solution to the closure of the Jamestown office,” Reed said in a news release.

“Being in the midst of tax season, it is necessary to have an office that will be responsive to the needs of those in the Jamestown area.”

Beginning this week, the office will be staffed noon-4:40 p.m. on Tuesdays; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with an hour lunch for staff between 1-2 p.m.; and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said the bureau opted to re-staff the office after Reed’s contact. It wasn’t immediately clear why the office closed earlier this year or if the new hours will be permanent.

“A key part of our focus at the IRS is helping taxpayers,” Koskinen said. “We are pleased to be working with Rep. Reed and his team to help people in the Jamestown area during the current tax season. We look forward to continuing the discussion and developing long-term solutions for taxpayer service in the area.”