Public libraries still provide state and federal tax forms

Question: I could have done my taxes in January if I had the forms. It’s difficult to find paper forms anymore. I don’t want to file online. The Internet is not secure. I know I could download blank forms online and print them, but that’s costly. The local IRS office should have a kiosk to print out forms, not expect the taxpayer to do it. I know I’m not the only person in Honolulu looking for forms. Where can I get them (free or cheap)?

Q: Do you know where I can pick up some tax forms, state and federal? Someplace convenient?

Answer: While online filing is common now, you remain among the taxpayers who prefer to file a hard-copy tax return, either out of habit, privacy or security concerns or for other reasons — and you are not alone. As you’ve discovered, though, the Internal Revenue Service has long ceased mailing out tax booklets to all taxpayers, and paper forms haven’t been handed out at U.S. post offices in years.

So your most convenient option could be the Hawaii State Public Library System. All Hawaii public libraries have state tax forms, and some have federal tax forms, although the quantity is limited due to more people filing online, said spokesman Paul H. Mark.

Call or stop by your local library to confirm that it has the forms you need. For an overview of what forms are available at local libraries statewide, check online at librarieshawaii.org. Under the header “Home Page,” click on “Services” and then select “Tax Forms Information.”

On Oahu 14 public libraries are listed as having federal forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ available.

Also, if you have an active library card, you’ll be able to use Internet-accessible computers and printers at any public library branch. You should be able to download federal forms from irs.gov and print them at the library, which asks a donation of 15 cents per page for printing.

You also might be able to pick up federal forms at the IRS office in Honolulu, at 300 Ala Moana Blvd. But as you’ve discovered, not every form is always available.

As we mentioned, the most common Hawaii state tax forms are available at all library branches. You can also pick them up at any of the state Department of Taxation’s district offices. On Oahu that office is at 830 Punchbowl St. in Honolulu.

Q: I used that free Tax-Aide service to prepare my return, and I think they made a mistake. Now what?

A: You should return to the location where your tax return was prepared and follow up. If an error did occur, Tax-Aide should help correct it, but the program won’t pay any fees arising from the mistake, according to the Tax-Aide Hawaii website.

The AARP Foundation, a main sponsor of the program, states on the website that it does its best to avoid errors by training its volunteer tax counselors, limiting the service to those taxpayers whose returns fall within the scope of the training, and by having a second tax counselor complete a quality-control review before releasing any return to the taxpayer.

”When mistakes do happen, we will assist taxpayers in correcting the errors but we are not responsible for penalties or interest arising from such errors. The taxpayer is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the return and should ensure that he/she reviews the return with the preparer before leaving the site,” according to the website.

Q: Is the Hawaii Kai Carnival an annual thing now?

A: Yes, that’s the intention. The third annual carnival is scheduled for later this month, over the course of two weekends that coincide with spring break in the public school system. The dates are March 18-20 and 24-27. Nonprofit community groups can earn money by selling presale tickets through March 13. For more information see ekfernandezshows.com/events/260.

The carnival is held on Hawaii Kai’s “Great Lawn” off Kalanianaole Highway between Hawaii Kai Drive and Keahole Street, across from the Maunalua Bay parking lot. To improve traffic flow, organizers added a second entrance last year, after the inaugural event generated some complaints.

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.