A dreaded time of the year is approaching.

It may seem early to be thinking about it, but the time to start working on taxes is approaching fast. We had to start thinking about it back in August; that's when we submitted our orders for the tax forms we will be providing to the public. Although a very large portion of returns are filed on-line, this service is still very important to those who choose not to, or can't, file electronically. Since forms are no longer mailed automatically to every taxpayer, and public sources to pick them up have shrunk drastically, it has become very important for the library to offer this service as long as it is possible to do so. Although the selection of forms available to offer continues to decline, we will still have a good basic selection for those requiring forms. We will also have all of the information you need to order forms by phone and on the internet. You can not only download forms, but also use the library's computers or wireless connections to file your taxes on-line.

Last year's tax season was the most frustrating one that I can remember. We had no forms until much later in the season because of the delay in approving the tax code. After forms started to become available, the situation continued to be complicated by the issuing of corrections to forms and other issues that arose. I am hoping for a smoother process this year.

The Federal and State governments are both strongly encouraging electronic filing. We have been notified that our shipments of Indiana state tax forms will be reduced by 10% over last year's supply, and the state is requesting that people take only one copy of each form. Resources are available to make copies or download additional forms at 10 cents per page.  We will continue to offer the forms as long as they are available, and we will also provide all of the electronic resources that we can.

A number of resources are available on-line. Here are some links for the federal and state websites.
The IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/

The federal freefile site:
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/

The Indiana DOR website:
http://www.in.gov/dor/

The Indiana INfreefile website (also includes links to federal tax prep software):
http://www.in.gov/dor/4741.htm


Hoping for a stress free season,

Chuck