Library provides forms, computer access for filing taxes

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The Canyon Lake Library has been informed that it will not be provided the usual IRS tax forms and instructions this year. On January 9, the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP) informed the Canyon Lake Library and other outlets, “We cannot deliver nearly what we have in the past.” The notification explained that IRS appropriations for 2015 were “significantly cut” in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill passed by Congress.

What will be available at the Canyon Lake Library:

• Forms only 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ.

• One Reference copy Publication 17.

• Publication 4604 (English/Spanish) “Use the Web for IRS Tax Products and Information”

• Publication 1132, “Reproducible Copies of Federal Tax Forms and Instructions” (Copies at Library are 15 cents per page).

The notification states, “No additional products will be available through the TFOP Program.”

People wishing paper copies of instructions and forms may obtain them in one of three ways:

1. Online view and download from IRS.gov/Forms.

2. Online order from IRS.gov/orderforms. Order tax products to be delivered by mail.

3. Phone 1-800-829-3676 to order tax products to be delivered by mail.

The Canyon Lake Library has 12 computers and free WiFi available for public use. Library policy restricts a user to two one-hour sessions per day; documents cannot be saved on the public computers for later use, but customers may use their own USB drive to save files from the computer.

Customers blocked from checkout due to fines may use computers. Printing fees from the computers are 10 cents per page, black and white only. The self-serve copy machine is 15 cents per page. A two-sided document is considered as two pages.

Library staff will assist with getting onto the computer, into the IRS site and printing, if needed. They are not tax preparers and, therefore, not qualified to recommend tax forms or provide other tax related assistance.

Currently, the Canyon Lake Library has on hand the California 540 2EZ Booklets (includes basic forms). The IRS forms have been shipped and are expected in the next week or two.  The website to access California State tax forms and publications is www.ftb.ca.gov/forms .

Qualifying Canyon Lake residents may use the AARP tax preparation sites in the area.  AARP provides free tax assistance to individuals with low and moderate incomes. The local sites are Sun City Civic Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment, 951-303-4699; and the Lake Elsinore Library, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., walk-ins only. Other local sites are available in Murrieta and Perris.

The Canyon Lake Library is located in the City Hall building in the Towne Center. Library hours are: Monday, 10-7, Wednesday 10-6, Friday 10-6, and Saturday 10-3. Computer service ends 15 minutes before closing time. The Library accepts cash and checks for amounts over $3. Debit/credit cards are not accepted for printing/copying fees.

For more information, call the Library at 951-244-9181.