Starting every January and continuing to April 15, the library offers free tax filing help for low-income individuals and families.  Information about help at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library is below. Find help at other DC Public Libraries.

Who We Help

Income limitations change from year to year, but in general, we provide help for individuals with incomes below $35,000, and families with incomes below $40,000.

We help with Federal, District, Maryland and Virginia income tax returns for the current year or prior years.

Who We Cannot Help

Because of the difficulty involved, we do not prepare returns for cab drivers, individuals with rental income, day traders, and individuals with businesses that have inventory such as Mary Kay or Avon. We also cannot prepare complicated items reported on Schedule D, or returns for individuals with large amounts of investment income.This is not a complete list and there may be other instances when we cannot prepare a return.

First Come, First Served

We do not take appointments. No one will be allowed to sign up before we open the doors. We discourage you from arriving early, but there are some folks who do arrive early and form a line outside the doors of A-9/10 before we open.

Please be prepared to wait, or to come back another day. During the most popular times, the list often fills up shortly after we open the doors. The site is very busy, which sometimes leads to long wait times. Wait times are generally shorter in late February and
during March.

When

From January 30 to February 28 we will only prepare 2009 returns. From March 1 to April 7, we will prepare returns for 2009 and for prior years. From April 8 to 15, we will only prepare returns for 2006 and 2009. On April 17 and 18 we will prepare returns for all years. Remember if you are due a refund for tax year 2006, you must file by April 15, 2010, to obtain the refund.

Opening Day
Saturday, January 30, 2010

Days/Hours
Mondays (Not open Feb. 15) 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sundays (Not open April 4) 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Special Dates and Times
Thursday, April 15 10 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, Rooms A-9 and A-10   

What You Need to Bring

We can not serve you unless you bring a valid ID and proof of Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) for each individual to be claimed on your tax return.

You must bring originals or copies of ONE of the following items for each individual.

• Social Security Card, Social Security Statement, or letter/notice from the Social Security Administration (If you need a new card, you can visit Social Security at 2100 M St. N.W. Call 1-800-772-1213 for more information.)
• Federal Pension or Annuity Statement
• ITIN card or letter

What you will need to bring:

• Proof of social security number (see above)
• Last year’s tax return, if you have it
• Bank account and routing numbers if you want to receive your refund faster
• Income Information:
• W-2 or 1099 for each job unless paid in cash
• Social Security statement
• Pension or annuity statement
• Statements showing the amount of unemployment, bank interest, or any other income received
• Any other tax papers you received including any notices from the IRS or state tax agency

If you don't have your W2 by January 31, you must request it from your employer. If you have not received it 30 days after you ask, you can contact the IRS (800-829-1040) for assistance.

• Deductions and Credits:
• Your property tax bills PAID during 2007 (Look closely at your records for the two bills actually paid in 2007)
• Tuition and fees paid (including with student loans) for yourself or any dependents
• Student loan interest paid
• The amount of child care you paid and the tax ID number for the provider
• The amount of money you put into a retirement plan, or college savings plan
• IF you lived in DC all year, AND did not live in subsidized housing AND the total income of everyone who lived in your home during 2007 is less than $20,000, bring the amount of rent paid in 2007 and name and telephone number of landlord (This may change slightly each year)