The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) will again provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income, through a grant from the IRS and a partnership with the Mahoning Valley Economic Opportunity Coalition (MVEOC).
Partnering to assist this free tax preparation service is another way in which the Library has a positive impact on the economic well-being of the community. In 2009, the dollar impact realized in the Mahoning Valley from tax preparation services through this partnership was $2.56 million, up 17.6% ($384,695) from the 2008 figure of $2.17 million. This figure represents refunds and savings in tax preparation fees.
This year’s effort is being extended to Campbell, Lake Milton and Sebring thanks to a $24,000 IRS grant to the Mahoning Valley Economic Opportunity Coalition earmarked at expanding VITA sites to the rural areas in the western part of Mahoning County and to reach the Hispanic population in the county. Campbell Neighborhood Ministries and the Library are providing sites in Campbell, Lake Milton and Sebring to reach the target area.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. VITA and TCE provide services for low- to middle-income taxpayers. (Please note that taxpayers with significant self-employment income, capital gains or complex transactions should seek the counsel of a professional tax preparer.)
Tax returns are computer generated and electronically filed at both the Federal and State level. Clients receive a complete copy of their returns for record keeping purposes. AARP and VITA volunteer-preparers undergo annual training in tax law and must pass an IRS examination before being able to do tax returns.
The following sites all require appointments, although some drop-ins may be accommodated on a time-permitting basis. Tax work will begin during the first week of February and last until April 15, 2010.
Tax preparation services provided by the AARP are through its Foundation and the TCE program, however a person does not need to be a member of AARP to participate.
The Library is a partner with the in the Mahoning Valley Economic Opportunity Coalition, whose members include: American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) • America Saves • Campbell Neighborhood Ministries • Family Service Agency • Hands on Volunteer Network of the Valley “ Home Savings and Loan • Internal Revenue Service • Mahoning County Legal Aid • Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) • Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) • Volunteer Services Agency • Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business Administration • United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
Printable Tax Counseling Locations
Austintown Public Library (TCE)
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 793-0579
Boardman Public Library (TCE)
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 726-2492
Canfield Public Library (TCE)
Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 533-8420
Youngstown Senior Center (TCE)
1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown
Mondays, Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 744-5071
Columbiana Office on Aging (Salem Senior Center) (TCE)
785 State St., Salem
Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 332-1163
Lake Milton/Craig Beach Library beginning Feb. 8 (VITA)
Mondays, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 519-7004
Sebring Library beginning Feb. 13 (VITA)
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 519-7004
Struthers Library (TCE)
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. • For appointment: (330) 726-2492
MYCAP-Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership (VITA)
101 Federal Plaza East, Youngstown, OH 44503 • For appointment: (330) 747-7921, ext 1183
Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m., Feb. 9,16 and 23; March 2 and 9
Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., Feb. 11, 18 and 25; March 4 and 11
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Feb. 20 and 27; March 6
Campbell Neighborhood Ministries (VITA)
75 Jackson Drive, Campbell, Ohio 44405
Mondays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. starting February 8 and ending April 5
Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m. starting February 4 and ending April 8
Saturdays, 12 to 3 p.m. on February 20 and March 20 only
For appointment: (330) 881-8217
Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business (VITA)
4th floor computer lab • For appointment: (330) 941-2507
Super Saturday, February 6, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday, February 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday, February 27, 10:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 6, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, March 22, 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hands On Volunteer Network (VITA)
5500 Market Street, Suite 106, Youngstown, Ohio 44512 • For appointment: (330) 782-5877
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., from Feb. 9 through April 5
Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., from Feb. 11 through April 15
For more information on e-filing taxes, visit the IRS web site at efile Partners for Taxpayers or the Ohio Department of Taxation's Ohio ePayment site.
Federal Forms and Instructions from the IRS
Federal Publications and Notices from the IRS
Ohio Municipal Tax Forms
Ohio State Tax Forms
Ohio Benefit Bank
The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) helps low and moderate-income folks prepare and electronically file their federal and state income tax returns.
Pennsylvania Tax Information
State Tax Forms from Other States
Has links to tax departments in all 50 states.
Youngstown Department of Taxation
PLEASE NOTE: You CANNOT download software onto Library computers.
Millions of Americans are e-filing their tax returns each year. For many, e-filing makes tax time less of a headache. We encourage you to look into e-filing to see if it would be beneficial to you. While the Library cannot recommend that you attempt to file your tax returns on its computers, it is possible to e-file on a Library computer following the guidelines and rules listed below.
NOTE: If you are in the library and wish to print forms or publications, please remember that you will be charged 10¢ per page for black and white printing; 50¢ per page for color printing (available only at Main Library, Austintown, Boardman and Poland). Tax forms are not exempt from printing charges. We are an official tax form distribution location in Mahoning County (at no cost to you), however we do not carry all forms, and we occasionally run out of those we do. If you choose to print forms or publications, you must pay for them.
What is "e-file"?
"E-file" is short for electronic filing or filing your tax returns using a computer.
You mean I can file my tax returns online?
Absolutely! There are online services through which you can file your federal and Ohio state tax returns. You may use any service that does not require downloading software to the library's computer.
Is there a cost for this?
Many online e-filing services charge a fee; if you select such a service the fee must be paid by credit card, debit card, electronic funds withdrawal from a checking or savings account, or other online payment system. Since 2002 a program called Free File, which is the result of a partnership agreement between the IRS and a group of tax preparation software companies has provided free filing for taxpayers who meet certain conditions ; learn more about this program...
What are the advantages of e-filing?
There are two main advantages:
1. You generally get your refund quicker (some services suggest that you can have your refund in about one week), and you can have it directly deposited into your checking or savings account.
2. It is generally easier to e-file than to use the paper forms if you have computer and/or Internet experience. Those with little or no computer experience may find the e-filing process difficult.
Can I file my tax returns using the Library's computers?
The Library will allow you to file your taxes using our computers, but before you attempt to do so, you should seriously consider the following:
1. There is a one-hour time limit on the Library's public computers at Main Library, Austintown, Boardman, Newport and Poland and a 30-minute time limit on computers at all other branches. If your time limit is up and someone else is waiting, you will not be able to continue working even if you are in the middle of your return. Many of the online filing services will let you save your work and return to it later, but doing so properly is your responsibility.
2. The Library cannot guarantee the reliability of its public computers or its connection to the Internet. We try hard to keep our computers working properly, but sometimes computers don't work properly. The Library absolutely cannot and will not be held liable for any problems you may incur, directly or indirectly arising from the use of Library computers. Please read the Library's Internet Policy.
3. Our computers are used by many people each day. We cannot guarantee that data you input in one of our computers will not be accessible by someone else at a later time. E-filing requires a significant amount of personal information (name, social security number, salary, etc.) which you might not want available to others.
4. The Library staff is unable to offer you assistance with our tax returns. We are not tax professionals. Please do not ask us for tax advice. We will not give it to you. If you are attempting to e-file on one of our computers and the computer malfunctions, we can try to fix the computer, but we will not answer any questions related to your tax returns.