HONOLULU (KHON2) -- As tax season enters its final stretch, residents of Maui are facing an additional hurdle: the temporary closure of the IRS office in Wailuku. Hawaii fentanyl deaths quadrupled in 4 years, experts warn of more potent version The closure comes as the federal governme nt slashes spending and services, including cuts to travel expenses, which are impacting the ability to provide in-person assistance. The IRS confirmed that its Maui office is currently closed due to staffing shortages, with no timeline for reopening. The closure follows a broader issue of frozen or canceled federal expense spending cards, known as P-cards, which are essential for interisland travel. Hawaii lawmakers and advocates argue that this cutback is hitting at the worst possible time, as residents rely on these services to navigate tax season. "Which, for Hawaii, means you can't travel to the neighbor islands. You can't provide services on each island," said Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii). "In many states, it might be fine, they have full-time employees and communities that people can get to. You can't drive from Oahu to Maui." The IRS has pointed out that most services can be done online, but for many, especially older residents, that’s not a feasible option. Advocates for seniors, like Audrey Suga-Nakagawa, director of advocacy for AARP, say the lack of in-person assistance is a significant barrier. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You "I can imagine that would be quite a big concern," said Suga-Nakagawa. "AARP has tax aid centers on Maui as well, but they’re already packed with individuals who had made their appointments well in advance." The shutdown of the Wailuku office is just one of many challenges facing residents. A major overhaul of Social Security will also end phone identity verification in mid-April, which could complicate matters further for those unable to navigate online systems. "That’s going to be a big difference for those individuals," Suga-Nakagawa said. "It’s really difficult for those who have transportation barriers and trying to get out to the office, or even get an appointment." The cuts don’t stop with tax services. Federal health and human services programs, including Medicare, SNAP, and Meals on Wheels, are also facing significant budget reductions. While the impact on Hawaii is still unclear, these cuts could affect essential services for residents across the state. "Do we even know the Hawaii impact yet? Not yet. We do not at this time," said Suga-Nakagawa. "We are closely monitoring what this means." In response, Rep. Tokuda and other members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation are pushing to restore services and are urging constituents to reach out for help navigating the federal agencies. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news "If it's about a federal agency, reach out to our offices and let our people help navigate you through the situation," Tokuda said. "At the very least, we’ll connect you with folks who can assist you." ...read more read less