How to Get the Most Out of Tax Season

The White House is hosting a Day of Action for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit today – February 8th – to ensure that low-income filers and non-tax-filers are aware of these federal benefits for families. I want to encourage everyone who may be eligible to take advantage of these credits and to share how Madison Public Libraries can help you file.

Child Tax Credit/Earned Income Tax Credit

As part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, many parents and guardians are eligible for the Child Tax Credit. Those eligible receive $3,000 or $3,600 per child ages 0-17 depending on the child’s age if they made less than $150,000 for a married couple or $112,500 for a single parent in 2021.

Families, including those who received part of their Child Tax Credit as monthly payments last year, can get their remaining Child Tax Credit by filing a tax return this year. If you did not receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments, you will receive the full credit amount when you file your tax returns. Please note that this does not affect other federal benefits. And if you don’t have dependent children you may still be eligible to receive the EITC if you are a single worker with income below $21,430 or are a married couple with up to $27,380 in annual income.

You can determine if you are eligible here or find free resources to help you get your Child Tax Credit. And please help us spread the word by telling your friends, family, clients, colleagues and neighbors to visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to learn more on how to get the Child Tax Credit and/or Earned Income Tax Credit. Everyone needs to file a tax return to get their full Child Tax Credit and/or Earned Income Tax Credit. Go to ChildTaxCredit.Gov for information on how to get free assistance filing your taxes.

How Libraries Can Help

You can also get Tax support from Madison Public Libraries. All nine Madison libraries have a selection of commonly requested pre-printed federal tax forms and instruction booklets for customers to pick up free of charge during all library open hours. All libraries also have some State of Wisconsin tax forms free of charge. However, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is not providing printed instruction booklets to libraries this year. Libraries will provide customers with links to instructions or tax forms, and can print up to 5 pages of forms or instructions for free. Above that, prints are $.10 per page at public libraries.

In addition, libraries are hosting tax assistance service at Lakeview, Sequoya and Central Libraries. Lakeview appointments are already full for the season, but they will begin taking appointments for March/April service at:

• Central Library (in person, same day service) – call February 16 beginning 9am to request a March or April appointment
• Sequoya Library (drop off and pick up, same day service) – call February 18 beginning 9am to request a March appointment

Public libraries also have an assortment of tax preparation guide books, as well as computers and printers for those who wish to file their own taxes online. And Madison Public Library has worked with volunteers through VITA and AARP for over a decade to provide tax assistance to low-to-moderate income individuals, those with disabilities, non-English speakers, military personnel, and seniors. These volunteers can help with 1040’s, 1040X’s, WI Form 1’s and Wisconsin Homestead Credit forms. Learn more here.

It’s crucial to take advantage of the taxes that you’ve already paid as our entire community works to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic. I am proud that Madison Public Libraries will continue to serve as a resource to residents as they navigate tax season.