Taxes
2024 U.S. tax filing season set to open January 29; U.S. filing deadline is April 15, 2024 for most taxpayers
The N.J filing deadline is April 15, 2024 for calendar-year taxpayers UPDATED LINKS!
Steps to Take Now to Get a Jump on Your Taxes
Click here if you need an EXTENSION OF TIME to File Your U.S. Tax Return
Click here if you need an EXTENSION OF TIME to File Your N.J. Tax Return
DON'T FALL FOR SCAMS! The IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. Learn how to protect yoursef from identity theft at
IRS Identity Theft Central.
See also
No, that's not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It's a scam. &
IRS Imposter Scams VIDEO (FTC),
Tax-Related Identity Theft (2021, FTC), and
Tax Season Fraud Prevention Tips, below.
Did you receive a letter from the IRS about your taxes? See Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter.
Info about IRS Use of Private Debt Collection Agencies
ALERT: FTC finds TurboTax 'free' is not free for most NEW!
TAX FORMS @ YOUR LIBRARY and ONLINE
Some printed Federal 1040 Income Tax forms & booklets will be available at the library, including tax forms in Spanish; you may pick them up during our open hours. Call us at (908) 754-7885 to find out which forms we have in stock. Curbside pickup is also available.
NOTE: Please be aware that Library staff are strictly prohibited from providing any tax advice.
Copies of forms and instructions (including those for prior years) are available for viewing and downloading at irs.gov/forms.
You can also view and download popular tax publications and 1040 Instructions on some mobile devices from www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/ebooks.
Click here to order IRS forms and instructions delivered by mail or call 1-800-829-3676 to order.
Click here for Electronic Filing Options for Individuals (including Free File)
People with Disabilities - see Accessible Forms & Publications, below.
New Jersey state tax forms: If you filed a paper return last year, you should get a copy sent to your home. You can also print forms and booklets from the New Jersey Division of Taxation website, or you can request them by phone (609-292-6400 for Individual Income Tax) UPDATED LINK!.
Please note that if you print out forms or instructions at the library, there will be a charge of $.10 per page ($.50 for color)!
CLICK HERE for more online U.S. Tax Information for Individuals
CLICK HERE for free IRS tax help
To check on the status of your tax refund, go to Where's My Refund?
THE 'WHAT IFS' FOR STRUGGLING TAXPAYERS - People facing financial difficulties may find that there's a tax impact to events such as job loss, debt forgiveness or tapping a retirement fund. This IRS page looks at some 'what if' scenarios and their possible tax impact, and outlines steps you can take to help ease the burden. Click here for more information.
What should I do if I made a mistake on my taxes? (and related problems)
MORE TIMELY IRS INFO:
Tax Tips •
Online & Phone Help •
Tax Scams / Consumer Alerts •
Tax Fraud Alerts •
IRS FAQs •
MORE TAX FAQs from USA.gov
Accessible Forms & Publications - The Internal Revenue Service offers content in a variety of file formats to accommodate people who use assistive technology such as screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays, and voice recognition software. Taxpayers can complete Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference PDF, to choose to receive their IRS tax notices in Braille, large print, audio or electronic formats. In addition, IRS has an Accessibility Helpline to answer questions related to current and future products in alternative media formats (i.e. Braille, large print, audio, etc.) and accessibility services available to taxpayers with print disabilities. Taxpayers who need accessibility assistance can call 833-690-0598. Assistance for multilingual taxpayers is also available on the helpline via the Over-the-Phone Interpreter service. Visit this page for more information (U.S. Department of the Treasury). See also Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities (2023, IRS), Tax Credits and Benefits: Living and Working with Disabilities (2021, IRS), and Tax Incentives for Employers and Individuals with Disabilities (2021, U.S. Department of Labor).
Advocate: IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service - This office within the IRS is set up to help you resolve problems with your federal tax returns, such as when you can't pay your taxes, you got a notice from the IRS, you made a mistake on your taxes, and more.
ALERT: Tax Season Fraud Prevention Tips (2016) - General tips to help you protect your privacy, your money, and your identity during tax season. See also Protecting Your Social Security Number at Tax Time (2019) and Privacy Tips for Tax Filing Season (2017). (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse). See also Tax Identity Theft: Protecting yourself from fraudsters at tax time VIDEO, in English and Spanish (2023, Consumer Action; videos hosted on YouTube), and DON'T FALL FOR SCAMS, above.
ALERT: Tax Refund Loans - Explains some of the pitfalls associated with 'Refund Anticipation Loans' (cash loans offered on the basis of expected tax refunds), and suggests what you can do to keep more of your hard-earned money in the upcoming tax season. (Center for Responsible Lending; supported by a consortium of foundations & organizations)
BASICS: Taxes VIDEO - Explains how to avoid tax scams, how to file your taxes online, and more (2018, GCFLearnFree.com, Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc.). See also USA.gov: Filing Your Taxes.
Charitable Donations: Giving and Taxes - Examines the potential estate and tax benefits of charitable giving for ideas on how to optimize every donation (Charity Navigator; date unknown). See also Charitable Contributions, including non-cash donations (IRS, U.S. Department of the Treasury).
COVID-19: Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments - Information about Coronavirus Tax Relief programs and Economic Impact Payments (IRS, U.S. Department of the Treasury). See also NJ COVID-19 Related Tax Information, NY Tax Department response to COVID-19, and PA COVID-19 Information.
Disabilities - See Accessible Forms & Publications, above.
HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS: NJ Property Tax Relief Programs NEW! - Information about relief programs in New Jersey, such as the ANCHOR Program, Senior Freeze Program, Stay NJ Property Tax Credit Program, and other Deductions, Exemptions, & Abatements. Covers eligibility requirements, including income limits, and benefits available. (NJ Division of Taxation)
Identity theft - See DON'T FALL FOR SCAMS and ALERT: Tax Season Fraud Prevention Tips, above.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Printable federal tax forms and publications, plus other tax information for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Click on 'e-file' to file your taxes online. (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
Military Service Members - See Tax Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
New Jersey Division of Taxation - Get NJ tax information, print N.J. forms and instructions, or file online from your home computer. Click here for contact information (by e-mail, phone, postal mail, or in person) and for FAQs .
New York State Department of Taxation - If you need to pay taxes in N.Y. State, you can get information or print forms and publications here. See also NY Filing Information for Non-Residents and New York City Taxes UPDATED LINK!.
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue - If you need to pay taxes in Pennsylvania, you can get information or print forms and publications here. See also PA Instructions for Nonresidents and Part-Year Residents .
Privacy concerns - See ALERT: Tax Season Fraud Prevention Tips and DON'T FALL FOR SCAMS, above.
Property tax relief - See HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS: NJ Property Tax Relief Programs, above.
Recordkeeping - Information on why you should keep records, what kinds of records you should keep, and how long you should keep them (2024, Internal Revenue Service). See also How Long to Keep Tax Records and Other Documents (2022, Consumer Reports), A pack rat's guide to shredding (2015, FTC), and our Disposal of Electronic Devices links, which explain how to securely erase data from your electronic devices.
Renters: Property tax relief - See HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS: NJ Property Tax Relief Programs, above.
Scams - See DON'T FALL FOR SCAMS! and ALERT: Tax Season Fraud Prevention Tips, above.
Senior Tax Information - See Taxes: Seniors & Retirees.
State Tax Department Links UPDATED LINK! - Links to tax departments in all US states. (Federation of Tax Administrators)
State Sales Tax Holidays [NOTE: Not all states offer sales tax holidays] - A chart (with links) showing 'state sales tax holidays,' temporary sales tax exemptions on certain items for a specific period of time (2024, Federation of Tax Administrators). NOTE: NJ's annual back-to-school tax holiday was repealed in 2024 NEW!.
Taxes & Audits - Basics on filing tax returns, plus articles on how to avoid - or deal with - tax audits. (Nolo Press; site includes advertisements)
Tax History: A History of the U.S. Income Tax - A brief overview of the origins of income taxes and the Internal Revenue Service; not updated, expected broken links (2012, Library of Congress). For more on the history of taxes in the U.S., see Paying Up: A History of Taxation AUDIO (BackStory Radio) and Taxes & Tax Revolts in U.S. History AUDIO (In the Past Lane podcast). The educational page Understanding Taxes offers lesson plans, interactive activities, simulations, and more explaining the whys and hows of taxes; based on 2014 tax law (Internal Revenue Service).
Tax Preparers - Need someone to prepare your tax return? This page offers advice and resources to help you choose a qualified tax preparer. Search the Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers to find tax preparers in your area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion. See also Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers. (Internal Revenue Service)
Where's My Refund? - Expecting a refund on your federal taxes? Visit this IRS website to check on the status of it. To use this online tool, you'll need to enter your Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), filing status, exact whole dollar amount of your refund, and the approximate date you mailed your return. Refund information for the most current tax year that you filed will generally be available 72 hours after the IRS has acknowledged receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return. (IRS)
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION - These popular commercial sites offer a variety of tax-related articles, videos, tools, and calculators: Kiplinger Tax Center VIDEO • MSN Tax Center VIDEO • TurboTax Tax Tips VIDEO • Wall Street Journal / MarketWatch: Taxes.
