COEUR d'ALENE - The Internal Revenue Service office in Coeur d'Alene is closing June 30 because of sequestration, a sign hanging on the office door reads.

North Idaho residents needing assistance will have to go to the Spokane office, 920 W. Riverside Ave.

Karen Connelly, IRS spokesperson, couldn't provide more information on the closure by Press deadline Monday, and employees at the office said they weren't at liberty to answer questions. But a sign on the office door announces the closure, citing the federal budget cuts that were implemented March 1, 2013, known as sequestration.

Before it closes permanently, the office will also be closed May 24 and June 14 for the same reason.

"It's nice to have an office locally instead of going to downtown Spokane," said Harold Markiewicz, of Post Falls, outside the office Monday. "It's an inconvenience to go over there."

Markiewicz and his wife, Christian, use the local office twice a year, and Congress should "hang their head in shame," he said, for allowing the cuts to reduce services. The federal spending reductions are evenly split between defense and non-defense departments. Approximately $85.4 billion will be cut this year, with similar cuts planned for years 2014 through 2021.

"There's nothing much you can do about it," Christian Markiewicz said. "We all have to adjust, but it's too bad."

The office is located at 1221 Ironwood Drive. The national office in Washington, D.C., referred questions to Connelly, the state contact.

Garth Lybbert, of Hayden, said he pays his income taxes monthly, but will set up an account to pay over the phone rather than make the commute when the local office closes.

"I'm not going to do that," he said of driving to Spokane.