[Libs-Or] tax forms

[VIK Lorie A]

We had a patron report today that she spent 92 minutes on hold trying to order forms by phone before giving up. Online ordering seems the way to go. I also heard a report on NPR a couple of weeks ago about how the IRS budget cuts means fewer staff to answer questions by phone and to expect long waits. Sigh.

Lorie Vik
Virtual Services Librarian
Eugene Public Library | 100 West 10th Ave | Eugene, OR 97401
541.682.6616 | lorie.a.vik at ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/library<http://www.eugene-or.gov/library>


From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Leah Griffith
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 3:23 PM
To: Buzzy Nielsen; libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] tax forms

We're working on updating our web page https://www.newbergoregon.gov/library/page/tax-forms

It includes links for us and one on the IRS page where you can have booklets mailed to you.  I just did that for someone today.   It says 7 to 15 days for receipt, my patron noted on her calendar, 30 days.  The confidence rate is high ;-)

While this is not a good situation in any way, this is still a service to our patrons and we'll try to help them as we can.    Even if we hadn't been tax sites in the past, we would still be dealing with this the same as we deal with insurance forms, job applications and all the rest of the world that has moved online as 80% of their users have and we're left helping that 20%.

Leah
******************************
Leah M. Griffith
Director,   Newberg Public Library     503-537-1256

From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Buzzy Nielsen
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 3:18 PM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] tax forms

We got about the same, Dan. Congress cut the IRS's budget, so they're significantly cutting back on what they're sending. There will be no books sent to libraries. I've copied the email we received about it below.

Cheers!
Buzzy

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Library Director
Hood River County Library District
502 State Street
Hood River, Oregon 97031
541-387-7062
http://hoodriverlibrary.org


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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP) Filing Season Update
(account TF161371Z)
From: wi.tfop.administrator at irs.gov<mailto:wi.tfop.administrator at irs.gov>
Date: Fri, January 09, 2015 1:08 pm
TFOP Filing Season Update

While we had committed to waiting until next year to making changes to the Tax Forms Outlet Program, the situation has changed.  As you may be aware, IRS appropriations were significantly cut in the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill recently passed by Congress.  Unfortunately this puts us in a position where we have very few options.  We want to honor our commitment to you by providing some key products, but we cannot deliver nearly what we have in the past.

For this filing season, we will offer the following products:

 *   Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ
 *   Publication 17, one reference copy for each participant (Taxpayers will be able to access Publication 17 in English and Spanish online from irs.gov/Pub17<http://irs.gov/Pub17> and, new this year, it will also be available as a free e-Pub for downloading from IRS.gov<http://IRS.gov> and viewing on most e-Readers and other mobile devices.)
 *   Publication 4604 (EN/SP), Use the Web for IRS Tax Products & Information
 *   Publication 1132, Reproducible Copies of Federal Tax Forms and Instructions
 *   The TFOP Poster Package which includes:
o  Publication 1169, Need Tax Help?
o  Publication 1258, Where Should I Send This?
o  Publication 1309, Tax Forms This Way Publication
o  Publication 1725, If The Form Fits...Use It!

No additional products will be available through the TFOP Program. We will not be sending Form 8635-S, Supplement to Form 8635.

We will fill orders for Forms 1040 and 1040A with the quantities you requested on your order form earlier this year.  Because Form 1040EZ was not on this year's order form, we will send you 75% of your Form 1040 A order quantity. For example, if you ordered 3000 Form 1040 A, we will send you 2250 Form 1040EZ.  It is not necessary for you to place an order for Form 1040EZ; we will automatically ship Form 1040EZ to you once the form becomes available.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Instructions for Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ. Your patrons can obtain copies of Instructions through:

 *   IRS.gov/Forms<http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs> - to view and download
 *   IRS.gov/orderforms<http://www.irs.gov/orderforms> - to order tax products to be delivered by mail
 *   1-800-829-3676 - to order tax products to be delivered by mail
The decision to reduce the number of tax products available to our TFOP partners was not made lightly.  We realize this decision is not ideal and we understand it may impact you and your customers. Please offer Publication 4604 (EN/SP) to your patrons to help guide them to tax products and information available on IRS.gov<http://IRS.gov>. We apologize for these late program changes.

Thank you for your support,
IRS TFOP Administrator

On 02/03/2015 03:07 PM, dan cawley wrote:
It's time for my traditional, annual, tax form gripe/inquiry.

As of 2/2/2015, we have received #340 1040EZ forms, #500 1040A forms, and PUB 17

Supposedly, TFOP has #500 1040 forms in transit.

This isn't even a close approximation of the initial order.

Our patrons are not exactly overjoyed.

Has anyone received booklets or will there be no booklets?

Any suggestions on soothing the masses?

Dan Cawley
Seaside Public Library

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