IRS to Stop Mailing Paper Tax Forms

Last week, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced that it would no longer be mailing paper income tax packages to individual and business taxpayers. These packages contained the forms, schedules and instructions for filing a paper income tax return.

The IRS is taking this step because of the continued growth in electronic filing and the availability of free options to taxpayers, and to help reduce costs. This year, more than 96 million individual tax returns were e-filed, out of the 131 million total returns that were filed. Only 8% of individuals who filed returns last year received tax packages in the mail.

The Troy Public Library will still be carrying some of the most popular paper tax forms, though many fewer than in recent years. And, has been the trend the past few years, we will be encouraging our patrons who are looking for forms to print them off from irs.gov, either in the Library’s Technology Center or from their home computers.

And as a reminder, individuals making $49,000 or less can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing. And individuals aged 60 and older can take advantage of free tax counseling and basic income tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly.

Free Tax Help on Saturday, March 21

On Saturday, March 21, the IRS is offering free tax assistance and preparation at several sites across this country. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman notes:

“Because of the economic downturn, many financially distressed taxpayers may be in need of free services. Our Super Saturday service will make it a little easier for people to get that help. Although our Taxpayer Assistance Centers are not normally open on Saturdays, we’re trying to go the extra mile in these difficult times. Our Super Saturday service will help people get their refunds quickly. Also, if you think you owe taxes and can’t pay, please come in and talk to us about it. There are steps we can take to help.”

For more information about Super Saturday and a list of qualifications for free tax preparation, go here. For a list of locations and times of Super Saturday sites in Michigan, visit here.

File Your Federal Taxes Online for Free

According to lifehacker.com, everyone can now file their federal taxes online free:

“You used to have to make less than $56,000 per year to use the IRS' Free File program to submit your income tax forms online... Now everyone can e-file for free this year... As the Consumerist blog points out, you'll have to know pretty much exactly what you're doing with the right forms, since those making more than the $56K limit won't be given any pointers on what goes where. But if you're a DIY type… Free File has opened up the doors to any and all.”

I still prepare my taxes on paper myself, so I have never tried the Free File program. But I might try it this year.

In the meanwhile, if anyone has any experience with the IRS' Free File software, drop a comment.

Tax Resources Available Through the IRS

It's tax time again, and the Internal Revenue Service has resources to help you out:

• Are you an owner of a small business? Download a free 2009 calendar that has important tax articles for small business and also lists important tax filing dates.


• Need help filling out and filing your taxes? In addition to information on the IRS website, telephone assistance is also available by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). More information about help available from the IRS can be found here.


• Please be wary of emails and websites saying they are from the IRS. Remember, the only legitimate website for official IRS information is www.irs.gov. More information on how to avoid phishing and scam attempts can be found here.

Have One Tax Question Answered for Free (Before January 31)

If you are dying to finish your 2008 federal taxes, but have one nagging question that you are unable to answer, you might try FreeTaxQuestion.com, brought to you by Intuit – the company behind Turbo Tax software.

Leave a message on the site and a tax expert affiliated with TurboTax will call you back within 24 hours. The expert will answer one question for you, or provide you with guidance on how to have the question answered. Questions will be answered only on federal tax forms – specifically forms 1040 (personal) and 1065, 1120, or 1120S (business) – not on any state forms.

This offer expires January 31.

Note: You might have to listen to a product push from the caller.

[via Lifehacker.com]

New York to No Longer Mail Tax Forms

New York has become the first state to announce that it will no longer mail tax forms to its residents. The State's Department of Taxation and Finance made the announcement on October 16, saying that with 93% of residents now paying their taxes electronically, this move will save about $1 million in mailing, printing and processing costs.

The State reminded those who still file their taxes by mail that printable forms can be found on the Department's Web site, www.nystax.gov, and that most common forms will still be found in print at many local libraries.

New Resources for Small Business Owners and Self-Employed

If you are a small business owner or self-employed, you probably have trouble finding accurate and timely information on a wide variety of government rules and regulations that affect how you run your business.

Our friends at the IRS have a new web site just for you. Billed as a "Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource," this site has information on, among other topics: starting a small business, applying for employer ID numbers, hiring employees, setting up trusts, and preparing for and paying taxes. There is industry specific information and links to small business resources by state.

If you have never visited an IRS site before, be prepared for a lot of text. But the internal search box and the links make it fairly easy to navigate. Plus, all the information is free and accurate.

Go to www.irs.gov/smallbiz.