January 5th, 2008 Brian Herzog
By far, this was the most frequently-asked question this week:
Hey, you got any tax forms yet?
Why yes, we do.
Since last year’s display worked so well, I did the same thing again. We’ve been receiving tax forms since about November, but my library just got big ones last week - the 1040s, Publication 17, and the State forms.
I don’t know if there is any hard and fast rule as to when libraries can put out tax forms, but since patrons have asked me about ten times every hour all week, I decided today was the day.
Also like last year, as part of our tax assistance offerings, we plan to have an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer again, but that hasn’t been scheduled yet. Better him giving tax advice than library staff.
I guess the only surprise this year was the fancy new cover for the 1040 instruction booklets. It certainly looks nice, but I wonder how many thousands of tax dollars went into designing and producing that.
Happy tax season to all.
form, forms, irs, libraries, library, public, tax, tax forms, taxes
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January 16th, 2007 Brian Herzog
Every year, public libraries (and, I’m sure, post offices, town halls, senior centers, and other public places) have the pleasure of being a distribution point for Federal and State tax forms.
Which is a good thing, but it can also be somewhat trying. In my experience, here are some popular misconceptions concerning libraries and tax forms:
- Libraries do not choose when or which forms to put out. The IRS and State Dept. of Revenue send us the forms over a period of about three months, and we put out whatever arrives
- Libraries do not create these forms - we really do have to wait until they are sent to us. If the form you need is not out, we haven’t received it yet (but keep reading)
- Library staff cannot give tax advice - even if you’re not sure of how to fill out your taxes, you can believe me when I say we are in no way qualified to help you file your taxes. I can help you find forms, or find someone who can help, but I cannot give you tax advice
- There are no more forms in the back - we’re not trying to hide anything from you, or save something for someone else. Everything we’ve received is available to the public
This year at my library, I’m trying something new with our tax form display. In years past, the tax forms were kept on empty bookshelves about as far away from the front door as you could get. This was messy and needlessly complicated.
This year, I bought a stand to hold the forms, set up a couple tables for the instruction booklets, and put everything right at the base of the stairs in the reference area (see photo). This is about 100 feet closer to the front door - and about as close as I can get while still being within range of the reference desk, so we can help people when they have questions. A small triumph.
Also, since we haven’t received every tax form published by the Federal and State governments, and can’t do patrons’ taxes for them, below are some tax resources we frequently use:
libraries, library, tax, tax display, tax forms, taxes
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