by Max Gulden

The dreaded time has again: tax season. Fortunately, Ames Public Library offers access to a variety of tax-related resources to help make tax season just a little bit easier.

This year, Ames Public Library is hosting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax preparation appointments in partnership with Iowa State University and the United Way of Story County. These appointments are being held at the library and are facilitated by certified volunteers, many of whom have offered tax preparation services at the library in previous years.

To schedule a tax assistance appointment, you can visit the United Way’s scheduling portal online at https://calendly.com/isuvita-hzo and choose a day and time that works for you.

Alternatively, you can call (515) 268-5142 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to speak with folks at the United Way directly. You can also call during their unstaffed hours, and leave a message so that United Way folks can get back to you once they are available.

Be aware, for this tax season there are also opportunities to schedule tax assistance appointments at The Bertha Bartlett Public Library in Story City and the Nevada Public Library using the same website or phone number.

As in recent years, the Ames Public Library has a wide variety of tax forms for both state and federal taxes as well as instructions for the federal 1040 form available for free in the lobby.

Library staff can also print off many additional forms upon request. Make note, some forms cannot be printed and must be obtained either from the IRS or through purchase.

In addition to these options, Ames Public Library also maintains an informational webpage with additional information about tax services as well as links to useful resources for both state and federal taxes, such as the IRS’s tax preparation assistance program Free File.

With Free File, qualifying taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes below $79,000 can use guided tax preparation software that will ask you simple questions and do the math for your return for you. Free File also offers free access to fillable online forms regardless of income.

So, if you are looking for ways to help make tax season a little bit less of a hassle this year, consider the resources available through Ames Public Library.