<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>FW: Tax Forms for Public Libraries</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Dear Directors:<BR>
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.<BR>
<BR>
I hope to see you on Monday. --> Jim<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><FONT FACE="Optima, Times New Roman">Jim Scheppke, State Librarian<BR>
Oregon State Library<BR>
250 Winter St. NE<BR>
Salem, OR 97301<BR>
503-378-4367<BR>
(fax) 503-585-8059<BR>
jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us<BR>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><BR>
<IMG src="cid:3337168891_1547935" ><FONT COLOR="#008000">Go Green, Keep it on screen - think before you print.<BR>
</FONT><BR>
<BR>
------ Forwarded Message<BR>
From: SCHUH Theresa <theresa.schuh@state.or.us><BR>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:51:41 -0700<BR>
To: SCHEPPKE Jim B <Jim.B.Scheppke@state.or.us><BR>
Conversation: Tax Forms for Public Libraries<BR>
Subject: RE: Tax Forms for Public Libraries<BR>
<BR>
Hi Jim<BR>
<BR>
There will be changes this year to the way the Department of Revenue<BR>
(DOR) distributes our tax booklets. As we discussed before, the<BR>
department sends a booklet to every taxpayer that files a non-software<BR>
prepared return, so we believe we are delivering the booklet to those<BR>
that need one to prepare their taxes. We do agree that for those<BR>
taxpayers that moved or are new to Oregon, we need a way to get a<BR>
booklet to them and we have several ways those taxpayers can receive a<BR>
booklet that is more cost effective for the State of Oregon. If the<BR>
taxpayer is using software to prepare their return, they don't need a<BR>
booklet because the various software programs have good tutorials to<BR>
help the taxpayer navigate their way through the instructions. These<BR>
tutorials are based on our booklet instructions. Also, all of our forms<BR>
and instructions are on-line and can easily be accessed. <BR>
<BR>
This year, we do not plan on sending any booklets to the libraries and<BR>
are reducing the number of booklets sent to the Post Offices. DOR will<BR>
provide flyers and posters indicating where taxpayers may get a booklet<BR>
for those libraries that would like to be able to direct their customers<BR>
to a resource. If the taxpayer needs a form, they can call the<BR>
department or e-mail us and we will send them a form. This is consistent<BR>
with what other states are doing. In fact, some states are eliminating<BR>
their paper booklets or are requiring taxpayers to contact them directly<BR>
for a booklet. We don't plan on eliminating the booklet and we will<BR>
continue to mail them directly to those identified as needing one. We<BR>
will send the libraries the flyers and posters instead of their booklet<BR>
order.<BR>
<BR>
To date, we have less than 288,000 paper returns out of the<BR>
approximately 1,743,000 returns filed. Based on prior year statistics, I<BR>
estimate another 15,000 paper returns may be received by the end of the<BR>
year. Our printing budget is based on the volumes used in the prior year<BR>
and since the volume continues to drop, we will not be printing as many<BR>
booklets. Since we are reducing the amount of booklets, we need to<BR>
ensure that taxpayers that need a booklet to file their return will<BR>
receive one. . <BR>
<BR>
I know that the libraries will be disappointed but in this economic<BR>
climate the department needs to be fiscally responsible with the<BR>
resources we are given. Another way the libraries may be able to help<BR>
their customers is to encourage them to point their customers to Tax<BR>
Aide or our website where they can access freefile (free electronic<BR>
filing which would include the tutorial to prepare their taxes) if they<BR>
qualify.<BR>
<BR>
Please contact me if you have any questions.<BR>
<BR>
Theresa Schuh <BR>
<BR>
Policy & Systems Manager<BR>
<BR>
Oregon Department of Revenue<BR>
<BR>
503-945-8662 <BR>
</FONT></SPAN>
</BODY>
</HTML>