Tax Preparation

At the Library

Service	2021 Status
AARP Tax-Aide Appointments	NOT AVAILABLE at Berlin-Peck or Berlin Senior Center this year
State Tax Forms/Instructions	AVAILABLE BY MAIL ONLY this year Call 860-297-5962 or print online
Federal Tax Forms	AVAILABLE while supplies last
Federal Tax Instruction Booklets	AVAILABLE while supplies last

 

Extension of Due Date

Federal Taxes

The IRS has announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended to May 17, 2021.

See the IRS news release for more information.

State Taxes

The Connecticut DRS is extending the filing and payment deadline for Connecticut individual income tax returns to Monday, May 17th, 2021.

See the DRS news release for more information.

 

AARP Tax-Aide

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the AARP’s ability to provide tax prep assistance.

Berlin Tax-Aide sites, along with several others in the state, will not open for the 2021 season.

Other Tax-Aide sites may be available. If you have had your taxes handled by AARP in either of the past two filing seasons, you may contact any other AARP sites for an appointment. Please keep in mind that appointments are limited, and may not be available.

COVID-19 has impacted us all in many ways and the availability of the Tax-Aide program is just one more example. AARP Tax-Aide organizers hope and expect to be able to fully reopen next tax season.

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Eligibility: The VITA program is for individuals who generally make $57,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Also, individuals who are self-employed should have business expenses less than $25,000, and individuals should not have income from a rental property.

Social distanced help: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many physical VITA locations will not be open this year. But the Connecticut VITA coalitions are still offering clients an opportunity to have their taxes completed for free by an IRS-certified volunteer via a combination of an online form and the telephone. Individuals who qualify for VITA and have access to a smartphone or computer, internet/WiFi , and a valid phone number may take advantage of the online VITA options.

Pre-register: Hartford & Windham county residents who pre-register will be given priority. If you pre-register, you will be emailed the actual VITA link when this program opens on January 25th.

Online VITA Information Pre-Register for Online VITA

 

Free Online Tax Prep

IRS Free File from the IRS
Prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software.

MyFreeTaxes
Taxpayers of all income levels can easily and accurately file their simple taxes for free.

 

Commercial Tax Prep Software

Paid tax preparation software packages may include free options. For your convenience, we’ve listed a few popular options that offer free tax prep (with restrictions) based on income or types of returns. The library does not endorse these software packages, and there is no guarantee that you will qualify for the free option. Librarians cannot offer help with filling out your tax forms.

H&R Block
Click to see supported forms and restrictions for free filing.

TurboTax
Click to see supported forms and restrictions for free filing.

TaxAct
Click to see supported forms and restrictions for free filing.

 

Tax Prep Questions

IRS Interactive Tax Assistant
Questions about your taxes? Based on your input, the assistant can determine if you need to file a tax return, your filing status, if you can claim a dependent, if the type of income you have is taxable, if you’re eligible to claim a credit, or if you can deduct expenses. Get answers to questions like:

• Do I Need to File a Tax Return?
• May I Claim an Exemption for Myself or My Spouse?
• How Much Is My Standard Deduction?

 

State Taxes

We’ve gotten word that the State of Connecticut will NOT be sending their usual shipment of tax forms to libraries this year. To request paper forms by mail, call 860-297-5962. To download and print forms, visit Individual Income Tax Forms.

Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
Find state tax forms and instructions, file taxes, and look up refunds, credits, and deductions.

Individual Income Tax Forms from the Connecticut DRS
Find tax forms, instructions, schedules, and more, directly from the Connecticut DRS.

Current Year Forms / Prior Year Forms from the Connecticut DRS
Forms sorted by tax type, available for this year and previous years.

 

Federal Taxes

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Find federal tax forms and instructions, file taxes, and look up refunds, credits, and deductions.

Forms, Instructions & Publications from the IRS
Find tax forms, instructions, schedules, and more, directly from the IRS. Includes this year and prior year.

Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail
Order tax forms by mail.