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Tax Information

Tax Assistance
Tax Forms Federal - State - Local
Related Tax Links

Tax Assistance

Tax assistance for low to moderate income ($39,000 and below) taxpayers and the elderly is being offered at numerous sites in Allegheny and surrounding counties. Most are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
The IRS has a toll free number to locate VITA sites by zip code. Call 1-800-906-9887 to speak to an IRS Customer Service Representative who will refer you to a site near you.
  • These 4 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations offer tax assistance:

    • Hill District Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 419 Dinwiddie St., 15219
      VITA site will operate on Saturdays; Feb. 2, 9, 23; Mar. 8, 22; Apr. 5, 12; 10 am - 1 pm; by appointment; 412 281-3753.

    • Homewood Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 7101 Hamilton Ave., 15208
      VITA site opens Feb. 9; Saturdays; 10:45 am - 1:30 pm; by appointment; 412 731-3080.

    • Pennsylvania Dept., Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 4400 Forbes Ave., 15213
      AARP site will operate on Saturdays; Feb 2 - Apr.12; 10:30 am - 3:30 pm; by appointment; 412 622-3154.

    • Squirrel Hill Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 5801 Forbes Ave., 15217
      AARP site opens Feb. 2; Tuesdays 12 pm - 4 pm; Thursdays 12 pm - 4 pm; Saturdays 10:15 am - 4 pm; by appointment; 412 422-9650.

  • Additional Tax Assistance Sites in the Downtown Pittsburgh Area

    • City County Building, 6th floor, Grant Street side
      VITA site will open Feb. 4 - Apr. 15, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 3 pm; first come first served, walk-ins only, no appointments; does federal, state and local returns as well as PACE and property tax/rent rebate.

    • State Building, 1st floor
      VITA site will open Feb. 4, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9 am - 1:30 pm; walk-ins only, no appointments; federal returns only. Dept. of Revenue employees will complete state returns Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm.

    • Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave.
      Site is open Monday through Friday from 10 am - 3 pm; walk-in only, no appointments; federal employees do federal returns only. Must have current picture i.d. to enter the building.

    • Just Harvest, 16 Terminal Way (Southside), Pittsburgh, 15219
      VITA site; does federal, state and local returns; Monday - Saturday, including nights, by appointment; 412 431-8964

    AARP Tax Assistance Sites

    The AARP Tax-Aide program has IRS certified volunteers who provide free tax counseling and preparation services to millions of low and middle income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide site locator, where you can enter your zip code and receive location addresses, schedules, and other contact information.

    Tax Forms

    All locations of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have access to downloadable and/or reproducible federal tax forms. In addition, Downtown & Business, the Pennsylvania Department at the Main Library and Squirrel Hill participate in the Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP)and are fortunate to be able to provide forms, instructions and some of the most-requested IRS publications such as Pub. 17, Your Federal Income Tax. Well written and easy to understand, this is a good starting place to find answers to the most frequently asked tax questions.

    Pennsylvania and City of Pittsburgh forms and instructions are available in print at Downtown & Business, the Pennsylvania Department of the Main Library, and Squirrel Hill and are downloadable at all Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations.

    For availability of forms at other library locations, please contact your library.

    United States - Federal Taxes

    At 1040 Central find what you need to file your federal taxes:

    • Do you qualify for free e-filing?
    • Are you eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
    • Check the status of your return or refund.
    • Download or order forms and publications

    Useful Hotline numbers for federal forms and tax help:

    • 1-800-829-1040  -  IRS Tax Help Line for Individuals and Joint Filers
    • 1-800-829-4933  -  IRS Tax Help Line for Business Filers
    • 1-800-829-3676  -  IRS Forms and Publications Ordering
    • 1-800-829-1954  -  IRS Refund Hotline
    • 1-800-796-1074  -  IRS Extension to File

    Pennsylvania - State Taxes

    The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's e-Services web page includes links to:

    • Use Pa.direct.file - free e-filing of PA state tax return.
    • Check the status of your return or refund.
    • Download or order forms and publications.
    • Get information on various individual and business taxes.

    Their Personal Income Tax (PIT) Guide answers your tax questions in great detail.

    Useful Hotline numbers for state forms and tax help:

    • 1-888-728-2937  -  PA Tax Fact and Information Line (automated) - check status of return; forms and publications ordering
    • 1-717-787-8201  -  PA personal income tax questions
    • 1-717-787-1064  -  PA business tax questions

Pittsburgh and Local Municipalities Taxes

  • The City of Pittsburgh's Department of Finance has forms and information for residents and businesses within the city limits.

    Download or request City of Pittsburgh tax forms, or file your return online. Call (412) 255-2524 for forms and (412) 255-8822 for tax questions.

  • Some municipalities provide online forms and/or filing. Allegheny County has a list of Links to their websites. Central Tax Bureau (CENTAX) also provides forms for several municipalities.
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Governor's Center for Local Government Services gives up-to-date tax rates and contact information for municipalities and school districts.

Related Tax Links

  • Tax and Accounting Sites Directory is a comprehensive index of web-based tax and accounting resources. The directory is designed to be a starting point for people who are searching for tax and accounting information, products, and services.

  • Tax Analysts Tax History Project is a website that traces the history of American taxation, a non-profit, non-partisan organization fostering open debate on federal, state, and international tax policy.

  • The Internal Revenue Service provides many different Tax Statistics for individual and business taxpayers, tax exempt organizations and more.

  • The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) is a data gathering, data research and data distribution organization associated with Syracuse University. TRAC provides the American people -- and institutions of oversight such as Congress, news organizations, public interest groups, businesses, scholars and lawyers -- with comprehensive information about federal staffing, spending, and the enforcement activities of the federal government.

    Tax resources are available year round at Downtown and Business.

    Don't forget to check the Catalog for an up-to-date selection of books, videos and audiotapes dealing with all aspects of taxation. Choose the Keyword option and use "income tax" as your search terms.