It’s everyone’s favorite time of year… tax season! Taxes leave many of us confused and frustrated, but Richmond Public Libraries are here to help. Read on to learn more about filing your taxes worry free.
The deadline for filing your taxes this year falls on April 18th. Why not the 15th, like most years? Since the 15th falls on a Saturday, the IRS opted to extend the deadline by a few days. This gives you a few extra days to get everything completed.
Do-It-Yourself
If your adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less, you qualify for IRS Free File, a Federal program which allows those under a certain income to file their taxes free of charge.
You can find Federal Forms and Instructions here.
You can find Virginia State Forms and Instructions here.
The IRS recommends that you file electronically with direct deposit for the fastest processing time. This will also get you your refund faster, if you qualify for one.
If you have questions about filing, the IRS recommends their website, IRS.gov. There you can find answers to frequently asked tax questions or use the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant.
RPL Locations can provide copies of the Federal 1040 Form and the State 760 Form. Additional copies or other forms can be printed off for 15 cents per page at any RPL location. Patrons can also use library computers to complete their taxes. Though you cannot download any software to these computers, you can still download and fill out forms from the sites listed above. Please note that there is a time limit for using RPL computers, and information cannot be saved to them (though we do have USB drives available for purchase).
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program
The AARP (American Association of Retired People) offers free tax return preparation through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program. There are several locations in the greater Richmond area, including at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library! Aides are assisting with taxes at RPL every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11am – 3pm. You must have an appointment and can make one by stopping by the Circulation Desk at the Main Branch of Richmond Public Library. Here is a list of the documents you’ll need to bring.
VITA AND TCE Programs
The IRS sponsors the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs at many locations for taxpayers who qualify. The VITA program offers free tax help to people who make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and taxpayers who speak limited English. The TCE program gives priority to seniors age 60 and older. To learn more about these programs and eligibility, and to find a site near you visit the IRS website. Here is a list of the documents you’ll need to bring.
MilTax
Members of the armed forces and qualifying veterans can file their federal tax return and up to three state tax returns for free electronically using MilTax, a Department of Defense program. MilTax includes easy-to-use tax preparation and e-filing software, personalized support from tax consultants, and current information about filing taxes. It’s designed to address the realities of military life — including deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, and multistate filings.
