Tax check-off to support libraries

STATE — For the first time the 2012 Maine State Income Tax form CP (Voluntary Contributions) includes a check-off for the Maine Public Library Fund. By law all contributions received must be used to help Maine public libraries.

This fund, administered by the Maine State Library, has the potential to help public libraries in the Oxford Hills with new eBook content, interlibrary loan support, continuing education, and many other services. Priority will be given to grants that benefit all or a significant number of Maine public libraries.

The second session of the 125th Maine State Legislature approved adding a “Maine Public Library Fund" check-off to the 2012 state income tax forms. The following is a quote from the law Sec. 1. 27 MRSA Subsection 8: “…The fund is administered by the State Librarian.

All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund to be used to provide grants to free public libraries for use in providing services identified as priority services by the State Librarian…”

Interested taxpayers can check #8 Maine Public Library Fund on Schedule CP to make a donation which will mean so much to Maine’s public libraries. Donating $5 or more is this easy.

• Go to your Maine Income Tax form.

• Find Schedule CP which is used for voluntary contributions to any of the organizations listed. [Schedule CP is also used to purchase a park pass for entry into Maine State Parks.]

• Go down to #8 - Maine Public Library Fund on Schedule CP.

• Choose to donate $5, $10, $25 or more.

• Transfer the amount checked off on form CP to line 32 on the long or short form 1040ME

• Maine taxpayers using the I-File system will also see the Maine Public Library Fund on line 8 of the Schedule CP voluntary contributions page.

For more information, visit www.maine.gov/msl/tax/.