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January 29, 2010

N.J. libraries, post offices halt state tax-form service

By Venuri Siriwardane/The Star-Ledger
January 29, 2010, 6:40AM

A 2009 New Jersey income tax form. The state forms can no longer be requested at libraries and post office in a cost-cutting move.

If you’re looking for a last-minute state tax form, don’t bother going to your local library or post office. They won’t have them.

The state Treasury Department last year told libraries and the postal service they would not be getting printed copies of New Jersey 1040 tax booklets to distribute to residents. Instead, residents must request paper forms from the state directly, print out forms available on the department’s website or file their tax returns electronically.

Federal income tax forms are still available at libraries and post offices.

The move is a cost-cutting measure and should save the state about $500,000 this fiscal year, Treasury spokesman Thomas Bell said.

"There’s been a dramatic reduction in paper forms as this process has evolved," he said, noting that more than 60 percent of state tax returns are now filed online.

But librarians warned the decision could alienate those who don’t own a computer or don’t know how to use the internet.

Many of those who picked up forms last year from the Bernardsville Public Library were senior citizens without access to a computer, said Executive Director Karen Brodsky. She said most were used to obtaining the forms from libraries and were unhappy the service had been cut.

"I absolutely think it’s going to cause a problem. But the reality is the state has to find ways to cut expenses," she said. "Was this the best way? I don’t know."

Brodsky said staffers are now helping residents use library computers to print out forms — at 15 cents per page — or explaining how to request print forms directly from the state.

A large portion of the 750 booklets available each tax season at the Morristown and Morris Township Library would end up unused and in the trash, said Polly Lacey, the head reference librarian.

"In the past five years, we’ve needed fewer and fewer," she said. "But there are some people who do need them and I’m sorry that I don’t have any to give away."

Residents can pick up state tax forms at a regional tax office, request them via mail by calling (800) 323-4400 or print them out by visiting www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation.

Posted by tumulty at January 29, 2010 9:53 AM

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