A taxing service A taxing service (April 14, 2004)

Library doesn't supply state and fed tax forms because of space, staff constraints

by Karen Coleman

Unlike most of their neighbors, Palo Altans won't find boxes of federal and state tax forms at their local public library.

Citing space and staff constraints, library officials are referring taxpayers to five copy shops that provide forms for customers. Those forms can be copied at prices ranging from 9 cents per page to a $1 minimum for up to 20 pages.

The library has also printed up handy bookmarks with the names, contact information and hours of the participating shops.

"That was a really good compromise. It seemed like a good move," said Palo Alto Library Director Paula Simpson, who added she hasn't heard any complaints from either public or staff.

Palo Alto post office branches do carry the forms. Libraries in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City also provide the forms. Representatives for those branches, however, noted they don't carry every form and could be out of stock as tomorrow's filing deadline approaches.

Simpson said the Palo Alto library simply doesn't have the space or staff available to maintain a stock of forms. Worsening state and local budget situations have led the library to cut staff, hours and even close one branch library in recent years.

"It's always a matter of weighing priorities and assessing community needs," Simpson said.

If there were a burgeoning demand for tax forms, Simpson said "we'd look at it, but we would have to find something else to stop doing."

At the end of last week, there seemed to be little interest in digging up income tax forms. Few last-minute tax-preparers showed up during spot-checks of Palo Alto libraries, copy shops and post offices.

During a brief visit to the main post office on East Bayshore Road Friday morning, nobody stopped to browse through the well-rifled tax-form display in the lobby. At that time, 10 boxes of forms and schedules were standing at the ready on the floor nearby.

Johan Allahyari, who runs The Copy Factory on El Camino Real, said his business-focused shop has provided tax forms for customers to copy for the past six years.

He said he hasn't heard any complaints about the library's lack of forms and that he has provided the documents to "about five to 10" customers a week as of Friday.

"It's not about making money, it's a public service," he said.

Over at Kinko's on California Avenue, three large binders of tax forms sit on a counter for self-serve copy customers.

The IRS doesn't keep track of who does and doesn't carry the forms, but a spokesman said the agency works with libraries, post office and private banks to get the materials out to the public.

Any of those institutions are free to opt out of the voluntary program.

The quickest and handiest way to get tax forms is from the Web sites of the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board. Both also have free online filing options.

Since all libraries do have Internet access and most make printing available with nominal fees, technically you can still pick up a tax form at the library.

Oakland-based IRS spokesman Jesse Weller said nearly 50 million people have paid their taxes electronically so far this year, 2.7 million with the agency's free online filing program. The IRS's free filing program is done through private vendors, while California's is done by the state.

In Sacramento, Franchise Tax Board spokesman Patrick Hill said online resources are the best bet for last-minute tax filers. "Use your electronic resources if you can," he said.

Both state and federal agencies allow taxpayers to compute, file and pay their taxes online.

Where to find tax material in Palo Alto:

Tax Form Copies The Copy Factory, 3929 El Camino Real Exquisite Ex-Press. 706 Colorado Ave. Jungle Digital Imaging, 542 High St. Kinko's 249 California Ave. Postal Annex, 236 Stanford Shopping Center
Post Offices: Main Post Office, 2085 E. Bayshore Road Cambridge Station, 265 Cambridge Ave. Hamilton Station, 380 Hamilton Ave. Stanford University Station, 520 Lasuen Mall
Online: www.irs.gov www.ftb.ca.gov

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