When are the tax forms coming in?

With tax season upon us, many patrons have come to the library looking to pick up their federal tax forms as they have in the past. We had always received a large selection of forms and publications from the IRS through the Tax Forms Outlet Program. The program provides tax forms to participating locations, primarily post offices and libraries, which then distribute them to the public.

Last fall, the library requested a variety of forms and publications from the IRS, as we’ve done in previous years. They usually arrive by the end of the year for us to put out in January. However, they did not arrive, and in January we received an email explaining the situation. Having lost $300 million in funding with the passing of the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill, the IRS is unable to provide many forms through the Tax Forms Outlet Program this year. According to their email, they’ll be sending us copies of the 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ, Publication 4604, and one reference copy of Publication 17. We aren’t sure when these will arrive.

Filing taxes online is always an option. For those who would prefer to file on paper, there are a few ways to get the forms. It’s possible to order tax products directly from the IRS to be delivered by mail. Orders can be placed either online at http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs/Order-Products or over the phone by calling 1-800-829-3676. Forms and publications can also be printed from http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs. The library staff is happy to print any forms that our patrons need. (Regrettably, we aren’t able to offer the forms for free, and the printing charge will be the same as for any other black and white copies: ten cents per page, with no charge for the first five pages.) Because we aren’t legally allowed to give tax advice, we do ask that patrons know which forms they need. For those who would like more help, we can provide a list of AARP Tax-Aide locations staffed by qualified volunteers.

All links mentioned here are also linked from our website at http://www.newtonfalls.org/index.php/tax-information. We also have links to the AARP Tax-Aide locator, the City of Newton Falls taxforms and information, Ohio tax forms and where to file them online, and the Ohio Benefit Bank, where those below a certain income can file their taxes online for free. 

How Do We Let Social Security Know That We've Moved

“We haven’t been receiving our Social Security statements since we moved several years ago. We haven’t retired yet, but we would like to get our statements. Social Security told us we needed go online and fill out a form. Can you help me?” The Newton Falls Public Library appreciates the desire for people to stay informed about their future retirements.

Social Security has an online page dedicated to changes of address. From there it is simply a matter of following the steps to fill out the information. After our patron completed her information, the site would not accept it. Phoning their 800 number, we learned that this is only for individuals already receiving Social Security benefits. They are informed of any address changes by the Internal Revenue Service from information given on tax returns, and IRS address change forms needed to be filled out by our patron and her husband.

Going to www.irs.gov, and searching for “address change form” gave us the information that our patron needed form #8822. The library staff was able to print copies for our patron and her husband, and hopefully they will soon be receiving the information that they need.

Do You Have to be a Citizen of Canada to Receive Public Health Benefits?

“Do you have to be a citizen of Canada to receive health benefits or can you just be a resident?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff knows that many individuals are unable to afford health insurance. We are sure that many people will find the answer to this question to be interesting.

Searching online, we typed in the question: “Do you need to be a Canadian citizen to have health care?” Eliminating the websites which discussed the pros and cons of socialized medicine, we found the site for Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The page Live in Canada links to About being a permanent resident of Canada. Permanent residents and their dependents are able to receive most of the social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage. There is also information about immigrating and applying for permanent status. If our patron would choose to move there, they would have to live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period to keep their status as a permanent resident.

The public health insurance in Canada is paid for through taxes. It is different in each province and territory and, depending on your coverage you may also require temporary private health insurance. This will also be necessary while waiting on your permanent resident status to be approved. “You must buy this private insurance within five days of arriving in your province or territory or insurance companies may not provide coverage for you. Refugee claimants who cannot afford private health insurance and refugee claimants living in provinces that have a three-month waiting period can receive emergency and essential health services at no cost”. Some of the public plans do not cover dental expenses, private hospital rooms, prescription drugs, ambulance services and prescription eyeglasses.

We were surprised to find that the Canadian health care system seems to be a combination of public and private coverage. 

Do You Have Tax Forms?

“Do you have tax forms?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff has already begun hearing this question. As many people are aware, the federal government is not mailing individual forms to homes this year.

The library will try to meet the tax form needs of people. As we receive the forms, they will be available in our lobby. Patrons will also be able to print federal forms from http://www.irs.gov/. Ohio forms are available at www.tax.ohio.gov/online_services/thefinder.stm. At both sites, taxpayers may file online. Newton Falls’ residents can print the city income tax form at www.ci.newtonfalls.oh.us/PDFs/Tax_Forms/NewtonFRWebPDF.pdf.

The Benefit Bank Self-Serve [https://selfserve.thebenefitbank.com/] is a useful resource. “The Benefit Bank Self Serve is the ‘ready when you are’ version of the The Benefit Bank® (TBB™), a FREE web-based service that simplifies and centralizes the process of applying for benefits and filing income tax returns. . .”

The library also has books such as Taxes . . . for Dummies and The Complete Guide to Working for Yourself: everything the self-employed need to know about taxes, recordkeeping, and other laws by Beth Williams & Jean Murray to assist individuals in planning their financial strategies.