Tax help from VITA and AARP is available again this year at several of our libraries.  See our events calendar for a complete list of opportunities.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

VITA offers free tax help to hard working individuals and families whose income is less than $51,000. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese at most locations. All locations provide e-File.  Volunteers are trained to prepare basic 2012 Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedule A, B, limited Schedule CEZ, C and California Income Tax Returns ONLY! You also CANNOT be filing as "Married, Filing Separate returns".

What to Bring:

• Photo ID and Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for each family member.
• W-2 forms and all 1099, 1098  or all other tax forms you received.
• A copy of last year's tax return, if available.
• A check with your account number for direct deposit.

VITA Library Sites:

• Alum Rock Branch - Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Feb. 6 - Apr. 10
• East San Jose Carnegie Branch - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Feb. 16 - Apr. 13
• Hillview Branch - Saturdays, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 13
• King Library - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 6
• Tully Branch - Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Feb. 6 - Apr. 10
• West Valley Branch - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Feb. 2 - Apr. 13

VITA volunteers are also available at many other Santa Clara County locations.  For questions, call 1-800-829-1040 or 1-800-906-9887.

AARP Foundation Tax Aide

Residents 60 years and older with low and moderate income can register for free assistance on their personal tax preparation. e-File is available.

AARP Library Sites

• Willow Glen Branch - Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Feb. 6 - Mar. 27
  Call the library at 1-408-808-3045 to register for an appointment.
  What to bring to your appointment

The AARP Tax Aide program is available at other locations thoughout the country. For questions, call 1-888-227-7669.

As sure as the sun rises in the east, tax time is here. January 30, 2013, is the first day of the season to file tax returns. The news article Get Ready to File Your Taxes provides a brief reference to the timeframe for filing returns either claiming tax credits (education credits, etc.) or filing other more complex returns.

No one likes to pay higher taxes than required. A post, Investing: Take steps now to reduce 2013 taxes, in USA Today, gives a couple tips for investors to plan ahead. As to the impact of the American Tax Relief Act 0f 2012, CCH Group provides an analysis for you to peruse. It highlights the various effects on individuals, including:

• 39.6% tax rate for incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for families);
• All other Bush-era tax rates extended;
• And more.

There is also free Vita tax help provided "your 2012 income must be less than $51,000 and you CANNOT be filing as Married, Filing Separate return."

And for your money matters in general, please see the library's Your Money page.

Ultimately, here is the Internal Revenue Service.

Free tax help is available at the Library!

AARP and VITA volunteers will be offering free tax help at San Jose Public Libraries to people with low to moderate income, those who cannot prepare their own tax returns, and people ages 60 and above. Check the calendar for upcoming dates and get those taxes done! Pre-registration is required at some tax help events.

After pre-registering, make sure to bring the following:

• State issued Photo ID
• Social Security Card or ITIN for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents
• Birth dates for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents
• W-2’s, 1099’s, 1098’s, and all other tax forms
• Voided check or bank statement with routing number for direct deposit
• A copy of last year’s tax returns (both Federal and State)
• Total paid for daycare provider and daycare provider's identifying number (provider's Social Security Number or Employee Identification Number)
• To file electronically on married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present

To see all upcoming VITA and AARP tax help events at our libraries, check our calendar.  You can call or visit one of your local branches for more details. 

Tax assistance is also available at other locations in the area.

Saturday, Sept. 10th in Santa Teresa Library Community Room

10:30am to 12:30pm

This workshop will meet the 2nd Saturday of every month. September 10th's workshop will begin with a 3-member panel covering start up costs, marketing, new technology. The presentations will be followed by Q&A. Networking and coaching period is provided. Registration appreciated; call (408) 808-3068.

As a follow up to this workshop we are featuring a FREE Tax Workshop for Small Businesses on Tuesday, September 27th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm right here in the Santa Teresa Community Room. NO Registration needed.

Did you know that American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Tax-Aide volunteers can help you file the 1040 Form and the more standard of the schedules, including Schedules A and B - for free? Electronic filing (e-filing) is offered at most sites, with no charge to the taxpayer. Most locations require that appointments be made in advance. For a location near you, use the Tax Aide Locator tool and remember to call ahead to register!

Yes, it's that special time of year again. No, not Valentine's Day or the first day of Spring but tax time. If you're a small business owner or started your small business last year, you have business taxes to file. Business taxes may seem overwhelming but there are resources to help.

The IRS online has a site dedicated to small business owners, you can find out what forms you need to file and what deductions are available for small business owners.

Of course we have books that can help as well:

Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes by Stephen Fishman

Tax Savvy for Small Business by Frederick W. Daily

In addition, don't miss Small Business Tax Assistance Days coming in March at Work2Future. Come learn about tax updates and resources, and tax pros will be available to answer your questions. This event is free, put on by Business Owner Space and its partners such as San José Public Library!