Kokua Line has received a flurry of tax-related questions, some asking where to get federal income tax forms at the last minute but others warning of scams — aggressive ones.

First, the forms: Readers with internet access and a home printer can find all manner of federal income-tax forms at https://www.irs.gov. Readers who lack such access and need basic federal forms can check their nearest public library. IRS tax forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ were distributed to public libraries statewide; some might be out this late in the filing season. Readers who have time for forms to be mailed (because they sought an extension, for example) may call 1-800-829-3676 and follow the voice prompts to request them.

Now, the scams. We’ve heard from readers rattled by callers threatening to have them arrested or deported if they don’t pay immediately with a prepaid gift card or similar method. Anyone who gets such a call should hang up the phone. These calls are coming from thieves, who each year around this time pretend to be Internal Revenue Service agents, just as legitimate tax deadlines loom. They scare people into believing that tax debts are owed and must be paid on the spot to avoid dire consequences. Don’t fall for it.

Federal officials have warned in the past that elderly people and immigrants seem most susceptible to these crimes, and that the spike generally lasts until after the federal filing deadline, which this year is April 17.

The state Department of Taxation said that at least one Hawaii island resident was victimized recently. Judging from our voicemail, even people who don’t succumb to the demands and lose money are shaken by the intrusive calls. As one woman put it, “this man’s angry voice is ringing in my ears long after I hung up the phone. I wasn’t fooled, but I am upset.”

The IRS remind taxpayers that it will never:

>> Demand that taxpayers use a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer, nor ask for debit or credit card numbers over the phone.

>> Demand that taxpayers pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say is owed. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill.

>> Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law-enforcement to have taxpayers arrested for not paying. The IRS cannot revoke a driver’s license, business license or immigration status.

Federal and state tax officials also warn taxpayers and professional tax preparers to avoid identity theft scams, such as an email circulating now that purports to be from “IRS Refunds” (it isn’t). Cybercriminals are trying to trick people into clicking a link that takes them to a fake page where their personal information, such as Social Security numbers, can be stolen.

The IRS says it doesn’t randomly contact taxpayers or tax professionals via email, including asking people to confirm their tax refund information.

The IRS and the state tax department also remind people to confirm payment instructions are legitimate. For federal income taxes, taxpayers should make check payments to the “United States Treasury” or review IRS.gov/payments for online options. For Hawaii income taxes, check payments should be made to “Hawaii State Tax Collector.” The department’s website is http://tax.hawaii.gov, from which taxpayers can access the e-filing portal Hawaii Tax Online.

Question: Why is the federal deadline later this year?

Answer: April 15 falls on a Sunday and Monday is a holiday in Washington, D.C., so the deadline moves to Tuesday, April 17. The deadline to file Hawaii individual income tax returns is April 20, as usual.

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.