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Tax Forms & Information

Tax Forms

Santa Cruz Public Branch Libraries will have the basic tax forms (California 540, 540EZ and IRS 1040) available. We are happy to print additional forms for you, or you can print them yourself through our wireless printing service, free of charge.

Tax forms can be printed from the following sources:

Tax Help Options

Project SCOUT

Project SCOUT website

Project SCOUT provides free tax assistance to seniors, individuals with a disability, and low income residents of Santa Cruz County. Project SCOUT also assists with general tax questions. Project SCOUT began its operations in 1968 as a private non-profit organization. They have a corps of volunteers from the local community.

This year Project SCOUT will be taking appointments over the phone or email. To make an appointment or inquiry, call Project SCOUT at 831-724-2606 or email them at projectscoutoffice@gmail.com. The public is able to leave a detailed message on the answering machine.

Visit the Project SCOUT website for details on what to bring to your appointment and for other important information regarding tax help.

Free Online Tax Preparation Assistance

If you earned less than $57,000 in 2020, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, the United Way, and CalWorks have partnered to provide you with secure and safe e-filing by trained volunteers via GetYourRefund.org.

Free In-Person Tax Preparation Assistance

If you do not feel comfortable filing online and want in-person assistance, or need tax assistance in languages other than English or Spanish, you can use the IRS's Find a Location tool to locate free tax assistance from community organizations. Click on "Continue to to find a location" and enter a zip code to create a list of organizations and international languages.

AARP's Foundation Tax-Aide Service

Anyone over 50 with a low to moderate income can use AARP's Foundation Tax-Aide Service for in-person or online tax assistance from trained IRS certified volunteers. Click on "Have Someone Prepare My Taxes" or "Prepare My Own Taxes Online" to get started. You can also try using the "Locate sites near me" link to find in-person assistance in your area

2-1-1

2-1-1 is a FREE service that connects community members to information about critical health and human services available in their community. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 utilizes both bilingual Call Specialists and a phone based translation service to offer 2-1-1 information and referral in over 150 languages.

BY PHONE: Dial 2-1-1 from a landline or cell phone in Santa Cruz County or by dialing this toll-free number (800-273-6222).

BY TEXT: Text your zip code to 898-211.

ONLINE: Search the 2-1-1 resource database online at www.211santacruzcounty.org

Additional Tax Information

Ordering tax forms:

You can order Federal forms and publications from your home by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). For California forms, call the California Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711.

Where to file your tax returns:

Available at these branch libraries:
  • Aptos
  • Capitola
  • Downtown
  • Felton
  • La Selva Beach
  • Live Oak
  • Scotts Valley

Last updated on Jan. 22, 2024

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