[Libs-Or] Tax forms

Thu Mar 13 16:22:39 PDT 2014

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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> Hosted by the Oregon State Library. The Library is not responsible for
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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.
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