[Libs-Or] Tax forms

[Valerie Hauser]

We continue to get the printed forms and instructions and they are pretty
heavily used. We are the only source of the forms in the city of Jefferson.
This is not a wealthy community and it is an important service for our
citizens. The minimum orders offered by the IRS are more than we need. I
hate wasting the paper, but having them is important.

Valerie Hauser
Jefferson Public Library


On Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 10:40 AM, Sue Adams <sueada at lincc.org> wrote:

> My personal philosophy is that tax time may be the only time of the year
> that some people use the library so I try to make the transaction helpful
> and positive. I sheepdog the tax forms at the Oregon City Public Library,
> along with being the adult reference librarian. If we don't have a form
> then we will print it out for the patron, for free, and I'm always amazed
> at how happy this makes people. We provide Oregon forms and flyers for
> patrons on how to access the Oregon instructions, order a set of Oregon
> instruction booklets that people can use in the library, and will even
> occasionally email the state for materials on behalf of non-Internet users,
> such as the elderly. On our tax table I provide some aids to answering that
> "what form" question. Our patron base is very "do-it-yourself" oriented and
> also has a large population of people who cannot afford computers, Internet
> access and printers at home. Yes, it's sometimes very aggravating, with
> late tax forms and patrons who blame us for not having the forms that
> haven't even been produced but usually people leave happy.
>
> Sue
>
> Sue Adams, Reference Librarian
> sadams at orcity.org
> Oregon City Public Library
> 606 John Adams St.
> Oregon City, Oregon 97045
> 503-657-8269 ext. 1017 Direct phone
> 503-657-3702 fax
> Website: www.orcity.org/library
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>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"Edith Fuller" <efuller at teleport.com>
> *To: *libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Sent: *Thursday, March 13, 2014 9:33:01 AM
>
> *Subject: *Re: [Libs-Or] Tax forms
>
>  Getting forms from the web is one thing, printing off booklets and other
> instructions is quite another, especially for patrons with minimal
> computers and/or with slower connections.
>
> Edith Fuller, Professional Library, Portland Public Schools, retired.
>
>  *From:* Arlene Weible <arlene.weible at state.or.us>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 13, 2014 8:42 AM
> *To:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] Tax forms
>
>
> The IRS is discouraging distribution of paper forms through any outlets in
> favor of on-demand printing from their web site:
> http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs  This is likely why there are so many
> delays in distribution. They do maintain a schedule for shipping forms that
> may be helpful: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Shipping-Information-Tax-Products
>
>
>
> ALA maintains a liaison relationship with the IRS TFOP program, so if
> anyone wants to provide information about the value of the form
> distribution program through that liaison, I would be happy to put you in
> touch with the right contact.
>
>
>
> Also, if you have patrons who want to channel their frustration, the IRS'
> Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is currently seeks members from Oregon. More
> details can be found at: http://www.improveirs.org/tapapply.aspx
>
>
>
> --Arlene
>
>
>
> Arlene Weible
>
> Electronic Services Consultant
>
> Oregon Federal Regional Depository Coordinator
>
> Library Development Services
>
> Oregon State Library
>
> 250 Winter St NE
>
> Salem OR, 97301
>
> 503-378-5020
>
> arlene.weible at state.or.us
>
> http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/technology/sdlp/index.aspx
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] *On
> Behalf Of *Jackie May
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 12, 2014 7:03 PM
> *To:* Buzzy Nielsen; libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] Tax forms
>
>
>
> We still get the federal forms and booklets at the Jefferson County
> Library District. We do not get any Oregon tax forms or booklets, but
> provide a toll free number and the website address for patrons to order
> their own items.
>
> We are similar in size to the HR library population. There are many
> patrons here who do not have computers at home on which to file their tax
> returns. We get people coming in the first week of January to get tax
> forms, and they are rather upset when we don't have the forms on demand.
>
> In previous years, the tax season was something looked upon by staff with
> "dread", because patrons would ask us all kinds of questions. The
> ubiquitous "Which forms do I need?" is always a jaw-dropper. Fortunately,
> after years of explaining that "we are not allowed to give tax advice",
> people stopped asking.
>
> The Post Office has stopped carrying the forms in their lobby as well,
> since the government is now charging the Post Office for the forms. We are
> the last gasp in Jefferson County for tax forms!
>
> Jackie
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 4:26 PM, Buzzy Nielsen <buzzy at hoodriverlibrary.org>
> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Have any of you elected to no longer stock tax forms/booklets at your
> library? A combination of factors is making a few of us start to rethink
> whether it's worth the staff time to provide this service.
>
>    1. The extreme lateness of the forms the past few years, making
>    patrons somewhat annoyed.
>    2. The quickly-dwindling number of patrons who actually use the paper
>    forms.
>    3. The fact that our tax forms got delivered to an unknown alternate
>    address that UPS can't seem to tell us where.
>    4. The amount of staff time trying to deal with problems 1-3.
>
> If your library elected not to have forms/booklets, how did your community
> react? Were there other places where people could get the forms? I'd love
> to hear your experiences.
>
> Cheers!
> Buzzy
>
>
> ************************************
> Library Director
> Hood River County Library District
> 502 State Street
> Hood River, Oregon 97031
> 541-387-7062
> http://hoodriverlibrary.org
>
>
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>
> --
>
> Jackie J. May
> Interlibrary Loans
> Jefferson County Library District
> 241 SE 7th Street
> Madras, OR 97741
> 541-475-3351, ext. 307
> 541-475-7434 (fax)
> ORBIS Code #81
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> Questions related to message content should be directed to list owner(s)
> or the sender of the message, by phone or email.
> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>
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