Blogging Documents

The 2008 tax season is underway and as always the Tulsa City-County Library is here to assist with forms and information.

All Tulsa City-County Library locations should have a select supply of federal tax forms. What is not available at the library can typically be printed from the IRS website.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission may not provide libraries with forms or booklets. Library staff can assist you with accessing Oklahoma tax forms online, or you can request a booklet be mailed by contacting the Oklahoma Tax Commission by phone at (800) 522-8165 or email otcmaster@tax.ok.gov

The Tulsa Organizations & Services database has a listing of free tax assistance sites. Search title or keyword using “free tax” or access the list here

If you have tax form related questions, the Tulsa City-County Library is here to help. If you have tax related questions, you need to contact a tax professional. The TCCL AskUs service, can help with both.

Jobs Available Through Local Census Office

The U.S. Census Bureau is now offering a variety of temporary, part-time, and full-time jobs, ranging from census supervisors, enumerators, and office clerks to work with the 2010 census operations through the local census office, 1411 N. 105th E. Ave. Nights and weekend work are available. Pay starts at $10.50 to $16.75 an hour and pays weekly.

If you’re interested in a potential position with the U.S. Census Bureau, plan now to attend their open house on Monday, Jan. 12, from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Dream Center, 200 West 46th St. North. Census representatives will speak on the importance and goals of the census, as well as answer questions for potential employees.

For more information, you can call 918-877-3420 or 1-866-861-2010.

On Wednesday, December 17, Tulsa-area television stations had a soft test of the transition to digital television, and for many their television screen went black. A black screen indicates that your television is not ready for the Digital Television (DTV) Transition. Visit www.dtv.gov for basic information about the digital television transition.

How to get ready for the Digital Television (DTV) Transition?
There are several ways to get ready —

1. Subscribe to cable or satellite television
2. Purchase a new television with a built-in digital tuner
3. Purchase a digital television converter box from area retailers such as Target, Wal-mart, Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.

A $40 coupon can be requested to apply toward the purchase of a digital converter box. The converter box will work with your existing analog television and antenna. (limit 2 coupons per household and know the coupons do expire)

• Apply online here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx
• Or, visit your local TCCL branch for a mail in application.

Another helpful tidbit…
If you need help installing your digital converter box, phone your local fire station. A fire department employee will visit your home and assist with the installation of the converter box. (I believe there is nothing the fire department won’t help with?)

If you still have questions, ask the Tulsa City-County Library AskUs Hotline. We’ll find you an answer.

For many high school seniors, it is time to start preparing for college… admission applications, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc. For their parents, the focus is more likely on how to pay for the next 4 to 5 years. There are many scholarship and financial aid programs available to assist these students and their parents.

The most important form to remember is the FAFSA form. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it can be found here: www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application will get your student qualified for federal grants and loans. It is also required by most schools, states, and organizations to qualify for scholarship, grants, work study or aid programs offered by each. Tax return information is required but you can estimate your 2008 information. The earlier the better when submitting your student’s application for consideration of available monies.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education offers Financial Aid assistance. This site provides information about Oklahoma’s Promise, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant, Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program and more. Here is a link to additional state grants and aid programs: http://www.cashforcollegeok.info/state.shtml. The deadline to apply for state programs is April 15, but earlier is best.

Here is a list of helpful links to look for grants, scholarships and other aid programs:

• FastWeb
• FinAid
• Student Aid on the Web

Although the deadline is past for filing this year for the Stimulus Rebate, many who did file haven’t received their checks.

According to an IRS news release, individuals have until Friday, November 28, 2008 to notify the IRS of correct address for checks to be mailed by December 31, 2008.

How do you find out the status of your stimulus payment or refund check? Here are a few options:

• Visit “Where’s My Stimulus Payment?” to track your check
• Phone the Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942
• Visit “Where’s My Refund?” to track your refund check
• Refund information for Spanish speakers ¿Dónde está mi reembolso?
• Phone the “Where’s My Refund Hotline?” at 1-800-829-1954

Also, a list by Oklahoma county of unclaimed/returned stimulus and refund checks is available. Adobe Acrobat is required to access the list.

If you missed the October 15 deadline to file for the Stimulus Payment, not to worry. You can receive a payment in 2009 by filing an income tax return when the filing season opens in January. Stay tuned… more details to come.