Tax Assistance

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the library is unable to host in-person income tax preparation assistance from VITA and Tax-Aide.

VITA is providing virtual assistance this year. There are two options. (1) You can drop off tax documents at a participating site and pick them up when they are finished. (2) You can upload tax documents online and work with a VITA volunteer to prepare your taxes. Both types of assistance require appointments.
Tax-Aide has suspended both in-person and virtual assistance in the Capital Region for 2021.

Here are other options that may be helpful to you:

New York State has several sites that provide free income tax assistance in person. Appointments are required.
New York State also has free virtual assistance. You can make an appointment to have a tax expert help you work through the free preparation software online.
The IRS Free File online tool lets you prepare and file your federal income taxes online for free.

All open APL branches will have Federal and New York State tax forms available to the public. Please call or email your local branch to learn what forms are available there and make an appointment to pick up the forms inside the branch or curbside.

Updated 2/26/21

Tax Forms at the Library

Albany Public Library stocks basic New York State tax forms and federal forms for individual tax filers only (none for businesses).

All of our open branches stock forms and instructions. We cannot guarantee that all forms will always be in stock. Please contact your neighborhood branch for availability of tax forms at each location.

At this time, we have five branches open for curbside pickup. You may call or email one of those branches to request tax forms that can be picked up by appointment.

Some state forms are available online: New York State | Other US states

Where’s My Refund?

Here’s where you can inquire about the status of your Federal and New York State refunds:

Federal

Check the status of your federal refund online, or call the Refund Hotline any time at (800) 829-1954. When you call, you will need to provide your social Security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of the refund shown on your tax return. Check out IRS Tax Topics for further information.

New York State

Check the status of your New York State tax refund online or call (518) 457-5149. To use this service, you will need to know your social security number, which form you filed, and the exact whole-dollar amount of your refund.