"People are frustrated:" Tax instructions, some forms not available at public libraries



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Tax season is here. About 90 percent of Americans now file electrically. But there are still 10 percent out there who do it the old way -- on paper. But getting those paper forms has become challenging.

Tom Scholzen was helping his grandson do his taxes on the 1040EZ and decided to pick up an instruction booklet at the library. But he wasn't having any luck finding those booklets at the libraries he was visiting.

"That's ridiculous that you have to pay the taxes but you can't get the information you need," said Scholzen.

Librarians are hearing that a lot. Zablocki Library Branch Manager David Sikora says they have only the three forms -- and no instruction booklets. They have put up signs to that fact.

"A lot of people are frustrated. They're upset. They're just trying to put blame onto somebody. You know, usually blame the government ah, sometimes the library gets blamed," said Sikora.

It's not the library's fault. Sikora says an appropriations bill cut funding for the tax outlet program.

Sen. Jim Sensenbrenner is also hearing complaints from his constituents. He wrote to the IRS to find out what it is doing to fix the problem.

Sikora says his library will download the instructions for people. But be mindful of the fact that most places will charge per page.