IRS Drastically Reduces Tax Products Available to Libraries
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire recently received notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the agency will reduce the number of tax products available through their Tax Products Outlet Program. According to an e-mail from the IRS, the reason for the reduction is “significant cuts” to their appropriations in the in the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill recently passed by Congress.
Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ will be available at the library, although no delivery date has been confirmed. The IRS will not be providing libraries with tax instruction booklets or many of the individual tax forms previously made available. Library customers looking for additional printed tax products are encouraged to visit the local IRS office, which should be receiving forms and booklets later this month. Customers may also call 1-800-829-3676 or visit www.irs.gov/orderforms to order tax products to be delivered by mail.
Customers may access electronic copies of federal forms, instruction booklets, and publications from the IRS website using library Internet computers. Library staff will continue to assist customers with locating and printing copies of forms and booklets; the first ten pages printed are free, additional copies are ten cents per page. The library provides Internet access and Microsoft Office Suite products on 24 computers in the Reference area. Reproducible forms will also be available for customers to copy at a cost of ten cents per page. Referrals to area nonprofits that offer tax preparation services are also provided.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue officials indicated they will continue to provide state tax forms and booklets to libraries. All Wisconsin tax forms and booklets ordered by the library have been received and are available to the public.
For information, stop at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library, call 715-839-5004, or e-mail the library at librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. To learn about library programs, check the library events calendar at www.ecpubliclibrary.info.
