Library to receive limited number of tax forms

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing can said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

In the past, you could usually add something along the lines of “with tax forms available at your local library.”

This year, however, the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress cut funding to the IRS, which is reducing the number and types of forms available at outlets such as libraries, including Boulder City Library.

“I hope that our patrons understand that not providing the tax forms as we have in the past was not a choice made by the library. Just like everyone else, we depend on the government for these publications,” said Lynn Schofield-Dahl, library director.

The most commonly used forms — 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ — will be available. Additionally, the IRS will send single copies of several reference guides, which library patrons can look at or use to make copies.

“We will have a limited number of the most-used forms available,” Schofield-Dahl said. “As long as we have free materials available, we will be glad to make those materials available for free to our patrons. We ask that patrons understand that the numbers are limited and they take only what they need.”

However, according to the letter sent to the library from the IRS, instructions for those popular forms will not be provided.

They are available to read online or individual copies can be downloaded or ordered for delivery by mail.

“The decision to reduce the number of tax products available to our Tax Forms Outlet Program partners was not made lightly,” the letter stated. “We realize this decision is not ideal and we understand it may impact you and your customers. Please offer Publication 4604 to your patrons to help guide them to tax products and information available on IRS.gov.”

Schofield-Dahl said the library staff will help patrons with making copies of the forms it receives and help with printing pages from the Internet. She also recommends people bring flash drives to save any publications they download.

“Another option for tax preparation is to work with the AARP tax preparers, who will be providing the service for free at the library on Mondays beginning in February. Please make an appointment to work with an AARP volunteer by calling 702-293-3320,” she added.

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.