Question: Where can I obtain state tax forms? They used to be in the library, but I could find only the federal ones there.
Answer: Hawaii tax forms are available at all district tax offices (on Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Molokai). In Honolulu the address is 830 Punchbowl St., if you want to stop by and pick them up.
“On Oahu only, we have a rack of tax forms located outside the entrance to the building, and it is accessible during the weekends,” said Mallory C. Fujitani, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Taxation.
Individual state income tax forms were distributed to public libraries, she said, so you might want to check back with your neighborhood branch to see whether staff have replenished the display.
You can also access forms online at tax.hawaii.gov/forms.
If you need help downloading and printing tax forms, public librarians will help you do so, as long as you have a valid library card. Their assistance is limited to helping you access the forms you specify, not figuring out what forms you need or helping you fill them out. You can find out more about library services at 808ne.ws/2m6cDK8.
Fujitani encouraged Hawaii taxpayers to consider e-filing their returns. “E-filing increases the likelihood that a return is filed accurately and will expedite the processing of any refund due, especially if a taxpayer requests automated direct deposit of their refund,” she said.
Q: Usually I see something about free tax help at our senior center, but I didn’t see anything this year. Are they still doing it?
A: You didn’t give the center’s address, so we can’t say for certain about that location, but we do know that the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program is in full swing at about three dozen sites statewide.
The popular annual service provides free tax return preparation for Hawaii taxpayers, focusing on people over 50 who can’t afford a commercial tax preparer. You don’t need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service, according to a news release.
To find the site nearest you, call 888-227-7669 or check online at aarp.org/hi.
If you call, you will be prompted to enter your ZIP code, then be given the address and phone number for the nearest location. Once you have that information, be sure to call the location directly to confirm that appointments are available, according to the recording.
If you check online, you can view a list of sites statewide, their operating hours and the languages (besides English) that tax-prep aides there speak.
The volunteers certified by the IRS to help can do so only if taxpayers bring the proper documents. So be sure to bring last year’s tax returns, Social Security cards or other official documentation for all people covered by the return, photo ID, W-2 forms, interest and other tax statements (including a 1095A form if you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace/Exchange), and a checkbook with bank routing and account information for direct deposit. For a complete list of what to bring, see 808ne.ws/taxbring.
Auwe
Auwe to the motorist who was so oblivious driving down Kapiolani Boulevard on Friday that she did not even notice that she had run a red light. Then she nearly sideswiped the car next to hers (mine) as she tried to change lanes without ever looking up from her phone! — Attentive driver
Mahalo
We were at Restaurant Kuni in Waipahu for our belated Valentine’s dinner. We were told by our waitress that our meal had been paid for by a very nice gentleman in a red T-shirt. Thank you so very much, man in a red T-shirt, for making Valentine’s Day doubly nice. — Two senior citizens
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.
