IRS tax forms and state tax forms are available in Denver at a variety of locations, including post offices, libraries and IRS and Colorado Department of Revenue locations. Hours vary widely, and libraries are usually closed one day during the week, so check their websites for details, but some post offices in Denver are open 24 hours. The Central library near Civic Center Park downtown is open every day of the week, 10-8 Monday and Tuesday, 10-6 other weekdays, 9-5 on Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday.
Forms are available for download from the Internet as well, saving you a trip. When you visit the IRS tax form website or the Colorado DOR tax form site, you can also take advantage of web-based calculation “wizards” to help you determine your tax filing strategies. If your income was under $54,000, you may be able to use the IRS “free file” tool. Colorado also offers some telephone and computer filing options. You can also order forms and publications from the IRS or Colorado DOR.
For many low and moderate income residents, the Denver Asset Building Coalition, or DABC offers several locations where trained volunteers will help you prepare and file your taxes. The IRS supplies the materials, software and training to such VITA sites nationwide. There are limits to what they can help you with, but it’s worth checking to see if they can help you.
Even if you didn’t make much, the Earned Income Tax Credit may apply to you, and if it does you may have a surprise check coming! That’s one of the reasons that DABC offers their service, it can help put money in the pockets of low-income workers. On the DABC website, they also note the high costs involved in getting “quick refunds” from paid tax preparers, recommending that taxpayers wait the week or two usually involved in a direct deposit refund and not pay high interest rates to get it sooner.
If you’re looking for printed IRS tax forms or Colorado state tax forms remember to go early before supplies run out, order by phone early enough, or consider using a library or other computer to download and print copies. And as a sign at the Englewood Public Library reminds patrons, librarians aren’t tax advisors – and neither are postal employees. Happy tax season!
“IRS Forms and Publications”, http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html?portlet=3
“Free File”, http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
“Colorado Forms Download”, http://www.revenue.state.co.us/TPS_dir/wrap.asp?incl=forms_download
“DABC”, http://www.denverabc.org/
Earned Income Tax Credit”, http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html?portlet=2
“IRS Free File”, http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
Find a Post Office”, http://www.switchboard.com/usps.1355/dir/6_0/index.htm?mem=1355
“Denver Public Library”, http://www.denverlibrary.org/
Colorado electronic filing options”, http://www.revenue.state.co.us/tps_dir/wrap.asp?incl=electronicfiling
