You may be eligible for an Economic Impact Payment from the IRS - Apply by October 15

Many people are not aware that even if they do not make enough income to file a tax return, or have a permanent address, they are eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment from the IRS.

If your annual income is below $12,200, or $24,400 if you're married, you probably don't file a tax return. But, even if you aren't normally required to file a tax return, you may still be eligible for a $1,200 per person Economic Impact Payment and $500 per qualifying child.

You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or qualifying resident alien and have a work-eligible Social Security number. You can't be claimed as someone else's dependent.

You won't owe taxes on the payment and it doesn't affect eligibility for federal government assistance or benefits.

Register for a payment by using the IRS's free tool through October 15. Register for this benefit at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

Tax Day Blues

Tax Day, which should really be called Tax Return Filing Day, annually brings anxiety to millions of American citizens. This year, due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a short reprieve:

Both the federal tax-filing deadline and that of Massachusetts have been moved from April 15 to July 15. See https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus and https://www.mass.gov/info-details/important-covid-19-coronavirus-response-update-from-dor

But why April 15 to begin with?

Income tax was first levied in the US during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was president and our government had a new branch, called the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS wanted money for the war effort against the Confederacy, so in 1861 it decided to tax American households with annual incomes over $800 3% of that income. But Americans of the mid-19th century didn't like taxes any more than their 21st-century counterparts and there was a great outcry. Eleven years later in 1872 the tax was declared unconstitutional.

But then Congress passed a bill, called the Revenue Act of 1894, to levy a 2% tax. However, it wasn't until the 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified in 1913 that we had a law that empowered Congress to tax citizens' income. The management of this program was assigned to the IRS.

In 1913 Tax Day was March 1 and five years later, with the Revenue Act of 1918, it was moved to March 15. In 1955, under President Eisenhower, that fraught day was pushed back to April 15, the date we've all come to dread. Why was Tax Day a moving target? Because for years the IRS had difficulty collecting what it claimed it was due, while Americans felt they didn't have enough time to prepare their tax returns. Even as the filing date was eased, the tax code became more encompassing.

Here are some eBooks on Money Management: eBooks on Money

The WPL, a Government Document repository, has many digital documents on Congress' tax-related deliberations. Try exploring these search results, which you can download from home: Tax-Related Gov Docs

You might also be interested in  Taking Advantage of the Tax Day Delay

Tax Season is Here!

Tax Season is here and we have the information you may need to obtain tax appointments and/or tax forms.

Tax Appointments are available at Worcester Public Library:

The Worcester Public Library is currently taking appointments for the annual free AARP tax preparation assistance. For an appointment, stop by the library or call 508-799-1655, ext. 3. Appointments are available on Saturdays ONLY beginning in February. 

Please read if you normally receive your paper tax forms from Worcester Public Library:
Congress recently cut monies sent to the IRS for federal tax forms. No printed copies of the instructions were sent from the IRS to any public library in the country this year, because of these budget cuts.

Unfortunately, only form 1040 will be available in paper format. Please go to the 2nd floor of the Main Library if you would like to acquire a paper version of form 1040.

To Acquire Federal Tax Forms, Patrons Have the Following Options:

Tax Forms and Instructions can be ordered by phone and sent to your home.   Call 1-800-829-3676

Tax Forms and Instructions can be ordered online and sent to your home.   Go to IRS.gov/orderforms

Tax forms and Instructions can be viewed and downloaded to a printer.  IRS.gov/Forms

The Worcester Public Library will have Reproducible Forms and Instructions that can be photocopied for .15 cents per page.

The Worcester Public Library has ONE copy of Pub 17. That copy can be viewed or photocopied from for .15 cents per page. Photo ID required at the 2^nd Floor Reference Desk. 

If you have any questions about the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress that led to these budget cuts, please contact: 

Senator Edward Markey

Boston 617-565-3170

Email: http://www.markey.senate.gov/contact

Senator Elizabeth Warren

Boston 617-565-3170

Email: http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=email_senator

Representative James McGovern

Washington 202-225-6101

Email: https://mcgovern.house.gov/contact/email-me

Massachusetts State Tax Booklets are available at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk. Due to the limited supply of booklets, only 1 booklet is allowed per patron. Additional copies are available for download from http://www.mass.gov/dor/forms/online-forms-index.html

Free AARP Income Tax Preparation at the Library

-->

$$$    AARP Tax Help Program    $$$

Free income tax preparation

for low-income individuals and households (* see restrictions below)

Worcester Public Library

3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608

www.worcpublib.org

Saturday mornings, February 2 to April 13, 2013

To make an appointment:

·       By phone:  508-799-1655 option 3  (reference)

·       In person:  Library’s reference desk on 2^nd floor (see below for library hours)

Appointments are highly recommended.   You may walk in without an appointment, Saturdays between 9:00am and noon.  However, you may need to wait a long time, or even come back another time, if you do not have an appointment.

* Restrictions:  The AARP Tax Program is a free service for low income taxpayers with simple tax returns only.  We cannot prepare your tax return if you have:

·       Higher income (more than $50,000 if single, $65,000 if head of household, $80,000 if married)

·       Rental income (Schedule E)

·       Complex self-employment income (Schedule C)

·       More than 12 Schedule D transactions (sale of bonds and stocks)

·       Other complex tax situations. We can determine whether we are qualified to prepare your return when you come in at your scheduled appointment time.

Other places to get tax help or referrals if you meet the qualifications for receiving help through their service:

·       Main South Community Development Corporation:  508-752-6181

·       Plumley Village/Community Builders:   508-770-0508 (Spanish 831-9835)

·       Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.:  508-754-1176 ext 124

·       Worcester State College:   508-929-8424 or 8635

·       Worcester Senior Center:   508-799-1232

Please cancel your appointment if you cannot make it.

To cancel, call 508-799-1655 option 3.

We will not serve you if you miss an appointment without cancelling.

Where to go for your appointment

In the main Worcester library, go to the periodicals section on the 3^rd floor. 

See the AARP tax help receptionist in the waiting area located at two long tables.

What to bring to your appointment

1.    Photo ID

2.    Social Security numbers and birth dates for everyone on the return. Actual social security cards are best if you have them.

3.    Tax documents for all 2011 income, including whichever of these apply to you:

a.    Earned Income (W-2)

b.    Social Security Income (SSA-1099)

c.     Pension/Retirement Income (1099-R)

d.    Unemployment Income (1099-G)

e.    Nonemployee Compensation (1099-MISC)

f.     Gambling Income (W-2G)

g.    Interest Income (1099-INT)

4.    A copy of last year’s tax returns, Federal and State, if available.

5.    Health Insurance Statement (1099-HC)  If you can’t find the form your health insurance provider mailed to you, bring all health insurance cards.

6.    A blank check for us to see, so you can have direct deposit of your refund (recommended).

7.    If you rent, the amount you paid for rent of your primary residence.

8.    If you own your home, bring your Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098) and the amounts you actually paid during 2011 for real estate taxes.

9.    If you pay child care expenses, bring receipt showing the name, address, and social security number of the care giver and the amount paid.

10. If you are a senior citizen claiming the Circuit Breaker Credit for Massachusetts, bring the name and address of the landlord if you rent, or real estate taxes actually paid during 2011 and separate amounts paid for water and sewer if you own your home.

11. Any education payments including student loan interest, tuition, and scholarship amounts.