How To Use Your Library: Filing Taxes
I’m a big fan of the library. We check out lots of books, but there are so many other ways to use local libraries. This post is part of a series about the many ways to make the most of local libraries because Libraries Are More Than Books.
As a former CPA (Certified Public Accountant), taxes are on my radar. I was an auditor, not a tax accountant, so don’t ask me for tax advice. But I did have to learn a thing or two about them to pass all those CPA tests when I was younger.
As we approach tax season in the United States, did you know that lots of libraries have resources to help you file your taxes? Just about all libraries have basic tax filing forms for individuals for both federal and state filing. Some libraries also bring in tax professionals to help you figure out how to file your taxes. Ask your librarian to see what resources they offer.
Filing taxes in the United States is way harder than it needs to be (thanks to heavy lobbying from companies that profit off of a complicated tax system in conjunction with a government that very much uses the tax code to influence the behavior of its citizens). Libraries help communities access all sorts of information, including that related to filing taxes.
As I always say in this series, libraries are way more than just a dusty, crusty holding space for old books. They provide a wealth of services, programs, and resources for communities in all kinds of ways. So be sure to support your local library through advocacy, donations, using it (which shows local leaders you value it), and voting for local leaders who understand the real and tangible value libraries bring to every single community!
Check out the full series about the many ways to make the most of local libraries because Libraries Are More Than Books.
Jen Panaro
Jen Panaro, founder and editor-in-chief of Honestly Modern, is a self-proclaimed composting nerd and advocate for sustainable living for modern families. To find her latest work, subscribe to her newsletter, Stepping Stones.
In her spare time, she’s a serial library book borrower, a messy gardener, and a mom of two boys who spends a lot of time in hockey rinks and on baseball fields.
You can find more of her work at Raising Global Kidizens, an online space to help parents and caregivers raise the next generation of responsible global citizens.
