The New Year has started and that means that some people are turning their thoughts to taxes.  Those of you who are anxious to get your taxes filed may be looking for tax forms.  The library can help.  As a public service, the James Kennedy Public Library provides some of the most used federal tax forms.  The forms we have received are located along the wall on your left as you enter the library.  The State of Iowa is no longer providing tax forms for libraries to distribute.

The library does not carry all Federal forms, but we try to have the forms most used by consumers.  The forms are provided by IRS and are free for you to take.  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide every form you might need, and the IRS doesn’t send everything out right away.  What do you do if the form you need is not at the library?  Here are some suggestions.

If the form you need is not at the library, you might be able to get it from the Internet.  Many of the tax forms are available to print off of the government websites.  You can use the library computers to do this if you like.  For federal tax forms go to www.irs.gov.   On the left side of the web page is a box labeled “Forms and Pubs”.  If the form you need is listed there, just click on the link and you will go right to it.  If it is not listed, click on the heading “Forms and Publications” and it will take you to a page where you can download and print forms by number, topic and more.   Once you have the correct form, you can select and print it.  The IRS will not accept some forms printed from the web page, such as the W-2.  The directions will specify this.  The IRS web site also has links for you to file electronically, check on your refund, locate tax tips, and more.

Iowa is no longer mailing out print forms and is encouraging everyone to file electronically.  According to the Iowa Department of Revenue, 85% of Iowans filed their income tax return electronically last year, and you can get your Iowa income tax refund in 10 days or less when you file electronically.  You may also qualify to eFile for free.   Beginning in mid-January, the Iowa Department of Revenue Web site (www.iowa.gov/tax) will feature links to software companies offering online filing of income tax returns and you will be able to file your federal and Iowa income tax returns together from the Department’s Web site.  If you want a print version of the forms, you can find it by clicking on the “Individuals Main Menu” and then clicking on “Still Want Paper.”  Forms and publications are in PDF format (readable with Adobe Acrobat Reader) and can be viewed and printed.

For more information about how the library can help you with your taxes please visit our webpage.