Short answer
The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center at 301 McKinley Ave. SW in Canton is listed as closed from July 29 through December 31, 2026, so Akron and Youngstown are the nearest IRS offices, by appointment at (844) 545-5640. Free local help includes city return preparation, United Way VITA, AARP Tax-Aide and Community Legal Aid's clinic (IRS Publication 4134).
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers near Canton
| Office | Address | Hours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | 301 McKinley Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44702 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Closed all day July 29 – December 31, 2026 |
| Akron (≈20 mi) | 2 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Closed October 23, 2026 |
| Youngstown (≈43 mi) | 10 E. Commerce St., Youngstown, OH 44503 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Open per locator |
Service is by appointment: (844) 545-5640. TACs close on federal holidays. Check the IRS office locator the day before going — closures change. TAC staff work for the IRS; they do not represent the taxpayer.
City of Canton and Stark County offices
City income tax
Canton Income Tax Department
424 Market Ave. N, 4th Floor, Canton 44702 · 330-430-7900
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:00–11:45 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.; Wednesdays only March 1–April 30.
Free preparation of Canton city returns by staff auditors.
Property tax
Stark County Treasurer
110 Central Plaza S., Suite 250, Canton 44702 · 330-451-7814
Delinquent taxes, repayment contracts, real-estate tax liens. Lien certificates: Tax Ease Ohio / NAR Solutions, 866-907-2626.
Recorded liens
Stark County Recorder
110 Central Plaza S., Suite 170, Canton 44702 · 330-451-7443
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Notices of federal tax liens and their releases are filed here.
Parcels
Stark County Auditor
Property search, valuation and tax information at starkcountyauditor.org.
State
Ohio tax balances
Department of Taxation payment questions 1-800-282-1780. Certified balances and payment plans: Ohio Attorney General, 888-301-8885.
Free help (check this first)
| Program | Who it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Canton city return preparation | Anyone filing a Canton city return | 424 Market Ave. N, 4th Floor · 330-430-7900 |
| United Way VITA | Households earning $69,000 or less; IRS-certified volunteers | Appointments 330-994-8482 (call center opens January 20; Tue–Fri 9–4 in season); drop-off clinics at Stark Library branches |
| AARP Foundation Tax-Aide | Walk-in sessions in season | Stark Library branches — see the library tax page |
| Low Income Taxpayer Clinic | Eligible low-income taxpayers in disputes with the IRS | Community Legal Aid Services — serves Stark County; Canton office 401 Market Ave. N, Suite 103 · 330-535-4191; LITC line 800-998-9454 |
| Taxpayer Advocate Service | Independent organization within the IRS for taxpayers with IRS problems | 1-877-777-4778 |
How to verify a CPA, EA or CTRS
| Credential | Issued by | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio CPA | Accountancy Board of Ohio | eLicense Ohio license look-up |
| Kentucky CPA | Kentucky State Board of Accountancy | Kentucky Board of Accountancy |
| Enrolled Agent (EA) | IRS — the highest credential the IRS awards | IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials · IRS enrolled-agent page |
| Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS) | American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (private certification); holders also carry a professional license | ASTPS CTRS verification, plus the underlying license above |
A professional who will speak to the IRS for someone needs a signed Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative).
Notice-response checklist
- Keep the envelope. The notice code, date and phone number on it matter. Do not throw away envelopes; postmarks can matter.
- Read the response date and write it on a calendar. Then count back a week to leave time for help.
- Confirm the letter is real. Call the agency at a number from its official website, not only the number in an unexpected call or text.
- Get your own records. IRS transcript, the Ohio assessment, the Canton city letter, W-2s and 1099s.
- Choose free or paid help. Free first if it fits (city, VITA, LITC, TAS); a licensed CPA, EA or CTRS for levies, multiple years or multiple layers.
- Never give sensitive numbers to an unverified caller. Share a Social Security number or bank details only with a verified agency or a professional who has been engaged.
Free help not the right fit — or not enough? A call connects callers who fit with a vetted, licensed Ohio or Kentucky professional.
Call (330) 457-6198Questions people in Canton ask
Is the IRS office in Canton open?
The IRS office locator lists the Canton Taxpayer Assistance Center, 301 McKinley Ave. SW, as closed all day from July 29 through December 31, 2026. Akron (2 S. Main St.) is the nearest alternative, about 20 miles away, and is closed October 23, 2026. Appointments: (844) 545-5640.
Where can I get free tax help in Stark County?
Canton’s Income Tax Department prepares city returns free. United Way of Greater Stark County runs free VITA preparation for households earning $69,000 or less (appointments 330-994-8482 in season), AARP Foundation Tax-Aide holds walk-in sessions at Stark Library branches in season, and Community Legal Aid’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic helps eligible taxpayers in disputes with the IRS.
How do I check that a CPA is really licensed?
For Ohio, use the eLicense Ohio license look-up (the Accountancy Board of Ohio issues CPA licenses). For Kentucky, use the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy. The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials also lists CPAs and enrolled agents who hold a PTIN.
What is a CTRS, and how do I verify one?
Certified Tax Resolution Specialist is a private certification issued by the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS). ASTPS says every CTRS also holds an existing professional license. Verify the CTRS through the ASTPS verification form, and verify the underlying license separately with the state board or the IRS directory.
What does the Taxpayer Advocate Service do?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service describes itself as an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers navigate IRS problems. Toll-free: 1-877-777-4778.
Back to the start: get matched with a vetted professional.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, read on the date shown. Tax-law facts are re-checked at least every 90 days and local office facts every 180 days.
- Taxpayer Assistance Center Office Locator (results for Canton, OH 44702, 50-mile radius) — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Contact your local IRS office — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Canton City Income Tax Overview — City of Canton. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- 2025 General Information (PDF) — City of Canton Income Tax Department. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Treasurer — Contact Us — Stark County Treasurer. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Delinquent Tax and Tax Foreclosures — Stark County Treasurer. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Tax Liens — Stark County Treasurer. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Recorder — Contact Us — Stark County Recorder. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Stark County Auditor — Property Search & Tax Information — Stark County Auditor. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Pay Online — Individual and School District Income Taxes — Ohio Department of Taxation. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Publication 4134 (Rev. 1-2026), Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List — IRS / Taxpayer Advocate Service. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Our Locations — Community Legal Aid. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) — Community Legal Aid. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- VITA Tax Preparation Services — United Way of Greater Stark County. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Free Tax Assistance at Stark Library (updated 1/1/26) — Stark Library. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Contact us — Taxpayer Advocate Service. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- License Look-Up (Accountancy Board of Ohio licenses) — State of Ohio (eLicense Ohio). Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Kentucky State Board of Accountancy — Kentucky State Board of Accountancy. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Enrolled agents — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- What is a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist? (Verify CTRS status) — American Society of Tax Problem Solvers. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Choosing a tax professional — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- About Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.
- Get your tax records and transcripts — IRS. Accessed October 10, 2026.