[PL-Directors] FW: Tax Forms for Public Libraries

[Jim Scheppke]

Dear Directors:
I wanted to share this information that I received today from the Oregon
Department of Revenue. Perhaps not unexpectedly, because of the State's
budget problems, the DOR has decided to send NO tax forms to Oregon public
libraries in 2010. You can read the details below. I think this decision is
final, so the question going forward is how to implement it in best way
possible. I hope you will think about this and if you have some feedback
when we meet on Monday, I would like to hear it. I wanted to give you this
in advance of the meeting so you can be thinking about it and perhaps
sharing it with your staff to get their feedback.

I hope to see you on Monday. --> Jim


Jim Scheppke, State Librarian
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-4367
(fax) 503-585-8059
jim.b.scheppke at state.or.us

Go Green, Keep it on screen - think before you print.


------ Forwarded Message
From: SCHUH Theresa <theresa.schuh at state.or.us>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:51:41 -0700
To: SCHEPPKE Jim B <Jim.B.Scheppke at state.or.us>
Conversation: Tax Forms for Public Libraries
Subject: RE: Tax Forms for Public Libraries

 Hi Jim

 There will be changes this year to the way the Department of Revenue
(DOR) distributes our tax booklets. As we discussed before, the
department sends a booklet to every taxpayer that files a non-software
prepared return, so we believe we are delivering the booklet to those
that need one to prepare their taxes. We do agree that for those
taxpayers that moved or are new to Oregon, we need a way to get a
booklet to them and we have several ways those taxpayers can receive a
booklet that is more cost effective for the State of Oregon. If the
taxpayer is using software to prepare their return, they don't need a
booklet because the various software programs have good tutorials to
help the taxpayer navigate their way through the instructions. These
tutorials are based on our booklet instructions. Also, all of our forms
and instructions are on-line and can easily be accessed.

This year, we do not plan on sending any booklets to the libraries and
are reducing the number of booklets sent to the Post Offices. DOR will
provide flyers and posters indicating where taxpayers may get a booklet
for those libraries that would like to be able to direct their customers
to a resource. If the taxpayer needs a form, they can call the
department or e-mail us and we will send them a form. This is consistent
with what other states are doing. In fact, some states are eliminating
their paper booklets or are requiring taxpayers to contact them directly
for a booklet. We don't plan on eliminating the booklet and we will
continue to mail them directly to those identified as needing one. We
will send the libraries the flyers and posters instead of their booklet
order.

To date, we have less than 288,000 paper returns out of the
approximately 1,743,000 returns filed. Based on prior year statistics, I
estimate another 15,000 paper returns may be received by the end of the
year. Our printing budget is based on the volumes used in the prior year
and since the volume continues to drop, we will not be printing as many
booklets. Since we are reducing the amount of booklets, we need to
ensure that taxpayers that need a booklet to file their return will
receive one. . 

I know that the libraries will be disappointed but in this economic
climate the department needs to be fiscally responsible with the
resources we are given. Another way the libraries may be able to help
their customers is to encourage them to point their customers to Tax
Aide or our website where they can access freefile (free electronic
filing which would include the tutorial to prepare their taxes) if they
qualify.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Theresa Schuh 

Policy & Systems Manager

Oregon Department of Revenue

503-945-8662                            

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