Tax Forms

We are getting a lot of phone calls wanting to know if the federal tax forms are here yet and some are rather accusatory that we don't have them yet. Please know, that the library has no control over when these forms are shipped.  We placed our order six months ago and it is only because Congress did not come to an agreement on issues affecting tax code that we do not have the forms for you now.  The IRS will not even accept the paper forms until January 30th.  They, of course, are suggesting everyone e-file.  Rumor has it that we won't see tax forms, especially forms that are more complex (think 1040 compared to 1040 EZ) until February.  The 1040 form just went live on January 9th.

If you want to read more information about this go to http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Plans-Jan.-30-Tax-Season-Opening-For-1040-Filers

Latest information can be found at the IRS website under local news and events http://www.irs.gov/News-&-Events

We'll try our best to keep you informed as we get information or forms.

Susan

Taxes, taxes, taxes

People in Brigham City are really on the ball, they want to pay their taxes right now and get it over with. Some were even excited to get started on them the end of December - they were wondering "where are those stupid tax forms?" Well, some of the tax forms are here in our lobby now and so are some of the tax instruction booklets, but the 1040 instruction booklet is not here yet. I promise we'll put them out the minute they arrive. I've had a notice they were supposed to ship the middle of January and that we would have them the end of January - but tomorrow is February and I haven't seen them yet. The government is having a hard time this year because they didn't pass some tax legislation until the very last minute - then they had to get all those instruction booklets changed and printed up - it takes awhile. Some they printed up wrong and we had to throw them away - don't rush the government.

If you are filing an itemized return, the government doesn't want to see it until the middle of February - don't rush! If you make under $49,000, you are eligible for free tax help through VITA. These volunteers will be at Bridgerland ATC at 325 West 1100 South, starting Wednesday, February 2, from 5:30 until 8:00 pm. You cannot make an appointment - it is first come first serve. If you want to make an appointment in another location you can call 211 to get information.

Susan

The local economy will take a mighty hit today. ATK (formerly Thiokol) will layoff 500 people today. Since the eary 1960's the growth of our fair little city has in large part been a reflection of how the rocket plant in the desert was growing.

When me moved to town, most of the housing we looked at was built in response to the influx of engineers and other scienctist moving here to work in the companies rocket program. Another housing boom came on the heels of Thiokol recieving the contract for the space shuttle solid rocket motor. Now that the space program is in jeopardy or at the very least in a major overhaul, the company that helped us grow is in real crisis. Funding for the new Ares program will hopefully be forthcoming soon but in the meantime emplyoment cuts will hurt the growth of Brigham City.

The funding for the library is based on property tax revenues, so people losing their jobs and moving or losing their homes could hurt our bottom line as well. During a recession more and more people look to the library as a way to gain information and entertainment, so a loss of tax revenue hurts us at the very time we are needed the most. Here at the library we will strive to continue to provide services like the internet and newspaper subscriptions, which families often cut as the budget tightens.

Even if my husband's job is still intact at the end of the day, my neighbor's may not be. My heart goes out to the families who will be pushed into crisis from this devastating blow to our community.

Michele, Children's Librarian

Where are the tax forms??

Now that Christmas is over, many of you highly organized people want to get your taxes over and done with and you want to know where those tax forms are! Why aren't they out yet? We can't put them out until they get here! I was going to say that "you know how the government is", but I had to think again because the government is pretty on-the-ball when they want your money. We're waiting on those boxes of taxes to get here and we hope to have them out by Monday the 12th of January. They'll be in the entry way as we've been doing the last few years. I'm sorry if it is a sad reminder for the rest of you who aren't so eager to do your taxes.
Susan