Events and Programs

Tax Help and Local Tax Help Resources - 2010

Resources for Tax Information | Electronic Filing | Tax Forms | Selected Tax Guides

Resources for Tax Information

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Must call to schedule an appointment at all locations. Free Tax Filing of Wisconsin and Federal Taxes for individuals (no businesses.) No Income Limits. If married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Completed returns will be filed on site.

Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., 266-6350
Fridays, January 22, 29, February 5, 19, March 5, 19, April 2, mornings (9-1). As of 3/5, there are no openings at Central.

Lakeview Branch Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., 246-4547
Thursdays, January 28 to April 8, afternoons, 1:30-4 and Mondays, February 1, 15, March 1 and 15, and April 12, afternoons 1:30-4. Call 246-4547 to make an appointment. As of 4/7, there are no openings ag Lakeview.

Pinney Branch Library, 204 Cottage Grove Rd., 224-7100
Tuesdays, February 4 to April 13, afternoons, 1:30-4:30. Call 224-7100 to make an appointment. As of 3/20, the only openings at Pinney are on 4/13.

Sequoya Branch Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., 266-6385
Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 13, afternoons 12:30-3. As of 3/20, there are no openings at Sequoya.

Non-Library Sites
No appointment necesary at the following locations:

Financial Education Center, 2300 S. Park St. (in the Atrium of the Villager Mall, just a few doors down from the South Madison Branch)
Mondays through April 12, 12:00-6:00
Saturdays through April 10, 9:00-3:00
Thursday, April 15, 12:00-3:00 (one day only)

Lussier Education Center
55 S. Gammon Rd.
Tuesdays through April 13th  12:00 -5:00 p.m.

St. Dennis Church, 413 Dempsey Rd.
Thursdays through March 25, 9:00-12:00
Ended March 25.

Electronic Filing

Federal Free Filing - find a service
The IRS contracts free filing out to several companies via the web. Some sites allow you to save information and come back to it another time. Those are the sites the library recommends using on its computers, so you don't lose information if your computer time is up.

Wisconsin FreeFile - more information
Warning: You must complete the Wisconsin e-File form in one computer session or you will need to start over. Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or higher is required for the free file option.

State and Federal Web-based Filing - find a service
Some services are free if you qualify and you access the sites through the IRS. All services listed here will work in a public library setting, and all can file both state and Federal taxes for Wisconsin residents. Schedule and income limits vary from site to site, and fees range from $10 to $50 for federal returns.

Tax Forms

Federal Forms | State Forms

During tax season (January through April), current year federal and state tax forms and publications are available at all library locations beginning mid- to late-January. They are also available in photocopy-only format. The Central library retains photocopy-only forms and publications from 2001 to the present. The library has only the most-used tax forms for personal use. For multi-part forms or business tax forms, please consult the IRS or the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

Federal tax forms are available at the local IRS office

545 Zor Shrine Place
Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
(Closed for lunch 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.)
(608) 829-5827
phone 1-800-829-3676 for delivery by mail.

Wisconsin tax forms are available at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
2135 Rimrock Road
Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
phone 266-2772 for delivery by mail.

Selected Tax Guides for 2009 Income Tax

Do it yourself, online or on paper. The library has many new tax guides to help you navigate your 2009 income and small business taxes:

• J. K. Lasser's Your Income Tax, 2010. Simon & Schuster, 2010.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers 2009 Guide to Tax and Financial Planning. John Wiley, 2009.
• The Small Business Valuation Book : Easy-to-use Techniques That Will Help You Determine a Fair Price, Negotiate Terms, Minimize Taxes. Adams Business, 2008
• Tax Savvy for Small Business. Nolo, 2010.
• Taxes. 10. Wisconsin Taxpayer's Alliance, 2010.
• United States Master Tax Guide, 2010. Commerce Clearing House, 2010.