AUBURN - The invention of moveable type by Johannes Gutenburg in the early 1400s was revolutionary. Printed books were soon far more available, and cheaper, than handwritten manuscripts.
The personal computer has proved just as revolutionary as the printing press, and one more indication of electronics overtaking paper is the difficulty in finding tax forms this year.
Seymour Library does not carry state or federal forms. The Auburn Post Office has the most basic Internal Revenue Service forms and publications, but it doesn't carry any New York stuff. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County only carries publications geared to small business owners and farmers.
For some local residents, especially senior citizens who are not computer savvy, the difficulty in finding tax forms can be troublesome.
At Seymour Library on Genesee Street in Auburn, Library Director Sheila B. Anderson said a lack of space is one reason her facility doesn't carry the myriad forms and publications this year.
Anderson, who took over the director's position just three weeks ago, is anxious to let taxpayers know that the library is there to help anyone who needs tax forms.
“We've specifically set up an express computer, that's a 15-minute terminal, just for people that either need to check their e-mail quickly or just want to print out their tax forms,” Anderson said. “And we're very willing to help anyone who has issues with computers.”
The time limit for the other computers at the library is one hour. Copies are just 10 cents a piece.
For state tax forms, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch, R-Springport, has many available at his district office at 69 South St., Auburn. Finch said about 15 people have visited his office since the beginning of the year to get forms and publications. Chief of staff Suzanne Redmond said she can personally help anyone who needs additional state information.
Internal Revenue Service spokesperson Dianne Besunder said that last year “over 50 percent of all taxpayers paid electronically. They either had a tax preparer e-file a tax return, or they bought software through their own home computer. Or they used our Free File program, which is available for anyone who made less than $52,000 in 2006.”
Besunder said that transitioning from paper filing to electronic filing not only saves the federal government money, it's also better for taxpayers.
“It's got a lot of benefits. Obviously, we're saving money by notsending out paper forms that go unused,” Besunder said. “More importantly, though, electronic filings go through much quicker. It's the best way to file your income tax return. You get immediate confirmation that we've received your return, and you get your refund much quicker.”
Besunder stressed there is no risk in filing your return by mail and that paper returns are not scrutinized any more closely than electronic returns. Time is saved, however, because the information from paper returns - all except the 1040EZ form, which can be scanned - has to be manually entered into a data bank.
“It's much more labor intensive,” she said.
The IRS has mailed about 17 million tax packages so far this year.
For senior citizens who would like some help filing their state and federal taxes, free assistance is once again available through AARP volunteers.
Program director Maggie Wells of the Edward T. Boyle Senior Center in downtown Auburn said the service is available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, but appointments must be made by calling 255-1565.
Approximately 65 seniors had taken advantage of AARP's taxpayer assistance program as of last week.
Seymour Library does not carry state or federal forms. The Auburn Post Office has the most basic Internal Revenue Service forms and publications, but it doesn't carry any New York stuff. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County only carries publications geared to small business owners and farmers.
For some local residents, especially senior citizens who are not computer savvy, the difficulty in finding tax forms can be troublesome.
At Seymour Library on Genesee Street in Auburn, Library Director Sheila B. Anderson said a lack of space is one reason her facility doesn't carry the myriad forms and publications this year.
Anderson, who took over the director's position just three weeks ago, is anxious to let taxpayers know that the library is there to help anyone who needs tax forms.
“We've specifically set up an express computer, that's a 15-minute terminal, just for people that either need to check their e-mail quickly or just want to print out their tax forms,” Anderson said. “And we're very willing to help anyone who has issues with computers.”
The time limit for the other computers at the library is one hour. Copies are just 10 cents a piece.
For state tax forms, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch, R-Springport, has many available at his district office at 69 South St., Auburn. Finch said about 15 people have visited his office since the beginning of the year to get forms and publications. Chief of staff Suzanne Redmond said she can personally help anyone who needs additional state information.
Internal Revenue Service spokesperson Dianne Besunder said that last year “over 50 percent of all taxpayers paid electronically. They either had a tax preparer e-file a tax return, or they bought software through their own home computer. Or they used our Free File program, which is available for anyone who made less than $52,000 in 2006.”
Besunder said that transitioning from paper filing to electronic filing not only saves the federal government money, it's also better for taxpayers.
“It's got a lot of benefits. Obviously, we're saving money by notsending out paper forms that go unused,” Besunder said. “More importantly, though, electronic filings go through much quicker. It's the best way to file your income tax return. You get immediate confirmation that we've received your return, and you get your refund much quicker.”
Besunder stressed there is no risk in filing your return by mail and that paper returns are not scrutinized any more closely than electronic returns. Time is saved, however, because the information from paper returns - all except the 1040EZ form, which can be scanned - has to be manually entered into a data bank.
“It's much more labor intensive,” she said.
The IRS has mailed about 17 million tax packages so far this year.
For senior citizens who would like some help filing their state and federal taxes, free assistance is once again available through AARP volunteers.
Program director Maggie Wells of the Edward T. Boyle Senior Center in downtown Auburn said the service is available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, but appointments must be made by calling 255-1565.
Approximately 65 seniors had taken advantage of AARP's taxpayer assistance program as of last week.
