Posts in “government-information” (29)

Blog Articles

Tax Season 2023: Here’s All You Need to Know Before Filing

2022 IRS Tax Return Updates and Paper Form Availability at the Library The IRS tax season has begun. If you are used to picking up paper tax forms at your local library, you will notice a few changes. The Internal Revenue Service is not publishing the 1040 Form Booklet this tax season. In past years, the 1040 Form Booklet used to contain the… continue reading Tax Season 2023: Here’s All You Need to Know Before Filing

By written by Marija G.    February 2, 2023   

Important Information to Help You File Your Taxes This Year!

It's that time of year again—Tax Season. But don't fret, the Free Library is here to help you make sense of it all! 2021 IRS Tax Return Updates Besides the annual inflation adjustments and increased standardized deduction that taxpayers can expect when filing their 2021 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service has provided a few… continue reading Important Information to Help You File Your Taxes This Year!

By written by Marija G.    January 27, 2022   

It’s Tax Season: Here’s What You Need to Know

Updated Tuesday, April 27, 2021 3:15 p.m. The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021 . It's that time of year again—Tax Season. But don't fret, the Free Library… continue reading It’s Tax Season: Here’s What You Need to Know

By written by Marija G.    February 17, 2021   

How to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance: A Walk-through for Tenants and Landlords

Are you a renter who has lost income due to COVID-19? You may qualify for rental assistance through the City of Philadelphia's Emergency Rental Assistance Program . Phase 2 of this program is currently accepting applications, and you can apply even if you have previously applied for Phase 1. This program helps both tenants and landlords, by… continue reading How to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance: A Walk-through for Tenants and Landlords

By written by Michael R.    October 19, 2020    13  

Immigration and Citizenship Resources from the Free Library

2020 has brought many changes to the United States, including changes to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Free Library stands with immigrants and is here to support the information needs of all Philadelphia residents with resources about citizenship and naturalization .  On Wednesday, September 23, the Languages… continue reading Immigration and Citizenship Resources from the Free Library

By written by Lindsay S.    September 9, 2020    1  

Skip the Polls for the Post Office: Everything You Need To Know About Mail-In Voting

by Marija G. , Alyssa V. , and Kalela W. With uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many are preparing for the primaries with a short walk to their mailbox. Deadlines have been postponed, anyone in Pennsylvania can take advantage of mail-in voting! In order to protect the health and safety of all voters, poll workers, and election… continue reading Skip the Polls for the Post Office: Everything You Need To Know About Mail-In Voting

By written by Administrator    May 1, 2020   

Support the 2020 Census: Philadelphia Counts!

Even though all of our minds are on the pandemic and its consequences for us, our communities, and our city, now is also a crucial time for Census 2020! From April to August, the Census Bureau is asking everyone in Philadelphia to fill out the census form either online, by mail, or by telephone. Because the Census determines federal… continue reading Support the 2020 Census: Philadelphia Counts!

By written by Andrew N.    April 24, 2020   

Everything You Need to Know about the 2020 Census

There is a good chance that you have heard about the 2020 Census in the past year, either through news outlets and advertisements or by attending a program. Well, the time is nigh. Starting March 12, the U.S. Census Bureau began distributing invitations to households through the U.S. Mail that will provide you with information on how you can… continue reading Everything You Need to Know about the 2020 Census

By written by Marija G.    March 13, 2020   

Tax Season 2020: What's New, What's Changed, and Everything Else You Need to Know!

Please Note: The Treasury Department has moved the IRS deadline for filing taxes from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will now have additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Tax Form Changes and Where You Can Get Them January 27, 2020, marked the start of the new tax season. Besides the annual… continue reading Tax Season 2020: What's New, What's Changed, and Everything Else You Need to Know!

By written by Marija G.    February 4, 2020   

Modern Courts, Modern Lives

The workshop in the Free Library’s new Robert and Eileen Kennedy Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement began with a quick quiz. And while I knew I wouldn’t ace it, I thought I would get by. Sliding on my reading glasses, I glanced at the drawing of a sectioned pyramid shape in front of me. My task was to fill in the… continue reading Modern Courts, Modern Lives

By written by Kalela W.    August 28, 2019   

How to Vote in the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 21

Philadelphians: it’s time to make your voting plans for the 2019 Pennsylvania primary election, which will be held this coming Tuesday, May 21! The Free Library is here to help you vote, in more ways than one. Here’s an overview of important information.   What’s on the ballot? Primary elections for the Philadelphia… continue reading How to Vote in the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 21

By written by Clare F.    May 16, 2019   

Visit the Passport Office at Northeast Regional Library

As of November 2020, Passport Processing and Photo Services have been discontinued at the Free Library. The Free Library helps people explore new worlds—through fictional tales of far-off places and its international music collections, as well as through its robust foreign-language materials and travel resources. It can even… continue reading Visit the Passport Office at Northeast Regional Library

By written by Victoria G.    February 15, 2019    5  

It’s Tax Season... Are You Ready?

Changes are coming Today, January 28, 2019, marks the start of the new tax season. With the full roll out of P.L. 115-97, the new  federal tax law , you will need to prepare for some significant changes in how you file. Here is a brief summary of what to expect: The new Form 1040 – Gone are Forms 1040A, 1040EZ and the old 1040. This… continue reading It’s Tax Season... Are You Ready?

By written by Marija G.    January 28, 2019    6  

Passport Office Opens at Northeast Regional Library

2018 Update: For the latest information on our Passport Processing and Photo Services, please visit our program page » The Free Library has always helped people explore new worlds—through fictional tales of far-off places and its international music collections, as well as through its robust foreign-language materials and travel… continue reading Passport Office Opens at Northeast Regional Library

By written by Julie B.    July 6, 2017    14  

Government Documents at the Regional Operations Center

Since 2014, the Free Library’s new Regional Operations Center (ROC) has been open—open to staff, not the public. And while requesting most books from this offsite location is no different than placing a hold on any library item, it works a little differently for Government Publications. For material whose location is listed in the… continue reading Government Documents at the Regional Operations Center

By written by Timothy F.    November 10, 2015    3  

A Woman on the New $10

Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony grace dollar coins, but the faces on U.S. currency have largely belonged to white men. This is starting, slowly, to change. On June 18, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew announced that Alexander Hamilton’s place on the ten-dollar bill will be vacated for a woman – a woman whose identity will be… continue reading A Woman on the New $10

By written by Timothy F.    June 18, 2015    1  

Recovering from Identity Theft

With the recent theft of some taxpayers’ personal information, and an even more recent data breach of federal employees’ information, it’s no wonder the U.S. Government is taking an interest in identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a new website, identitytheft.gov , a comprehensive resource for anyone coping… continue reading Recovering from Identity Theft

By written by Timothy F.    June 11, 2015   

The FCC, Open Internet and the Digital Divide

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently thrilled many internet enthusiasts (and enraged others) in finally ruling on the question of the “ open internet .” The verdict? Net neutrality – and “the internet as a platform for innovation, free expression and economic growth” will be preserved ;… continue reading The FCC, Open Internet and the Digital Divide

By written by Timothy F.    March 6, 2015    1  

2015 Tax Preparation

Tax season is upon us. After months of anticipation, the Federal and Pennsylvania tax forms are now available in the Government Publications Department at the Central Library (1901 Vine St.), as well as at the neighborhood libraries . Due to IRS budget cuts, the 1040/1040A/1040EZ instructions have not been disseminated to libraries this year.… continue reading 2015 Tax Preparation

By written by Timothy F.    February 11, 2015   

Committees of the U.S. Congress

The United States Congress handles much of its work through the use of committees – panels of varying size, focus, rules, funding, and authority – made up of members of the Senate or the House of Representatives or, in the case of the four joint committees, both. In addition to these four joint committees, the twenty standing Senate… continue reading Committees of the U.S. Congress

By written by Timothy F.    December 22, 2014