Legal & Tax Information

Users are responsible for understanding and interpreting the materials. While library staff will help you navigate the resources, they cannot give legal advice or opinions.

Legal Resources

Law and Legal Resources Guide

List of resources available at La Crosse Public Library and online for law and legal research and help. Some items do need to be retrieved by staff, so just ask at the second floor desk!

Wisconsin Toolkit for Legal Research

Resource guide compiled by the American Association of Law Librarians with links to legal information and resources for the state of Wisconsin.

Lawyer in the Library

The La Crosse Public Library is partnering with Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. to offer “Lawyer in the Library,” a free hour-long consultation with an attorney on civil legal matters.*

Schedule

Lawyer in the Library takes place on the third Thursday of the month from 10am – 2pm at the Main Library (800 Main Street).

Eligibility  

Please review Legal Action of Wisconsin's priority practice areas and suggested income guidelines to determine your eligibility.

Registration

Contact the library if you'd like to request an appointment: 608-789-7122; libraryhelpdesk@lacrosselibrary.org 
NotePlease call Legal Action of Wisconsin directly if you need immediate assistance: 608-785-2809.

Civil Legal Matters*

Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. is the state’s largest non-profit law firm providing free civil legal services to Wisconsinites, primarily within the following areas of law:

  • Consumer Issues:  bankruptcy, debt collection, garnishments
  • Employment Barriers: discrimination, expungement of records
  • Family law: custody, divorce, child support, restraining orders
  • Housing: public housing, evictions, foreclosure, landlord-tenant issues
  • Public Benefits: FoodShare, Social Security, Disability Income, BadgerCare and medical assistance
  • If your civil legal matter is not on the list above, Legal Action of Wisconsin can still meet with you to discuss your legal matter and refer you to other agencies when appropriate.
  • Lawyer in the Library is unable to assist with criminal legal matters.

Online Legal Resources

Brainfuse VetNow

Brainfuse VetNow

VetNow Navigators are veterans trained to help their peers connect with valuable benefits and resources. Get help navigating the VA benefits system as well as academic tutoring and employment transition assistance from live online navigators.

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Wisconsin Digital Archives

Wisconsin Digital Archives

Since 2001, the Wisconsin Digital Archives has been compiling electronic state documents online.

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Wisconsin Documents

Wisconsin Documents

The La Crosse Public Library has been a regional depository for Wisconsin Documents since 1974. All Wisconsin Documents are in the library catalog searchable by title, subject, and keyword. Wisconsin Documents call numbers all start with WIS.

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Wisconsin Voter Search

Wisconsin Voter Search

Access your voter information, register to vote, and much more with Wisconsin Voter Search.

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Tax Forms, Online Filing, and Where Is My Refund?

All three La Crosse libraries receive a limited number of paper Federal and Wisconsin tax forms. Tax forms, including previous years, are available to print from the following websites:

Tax Forms

Online Filing (e-file)

Library staff cannot recommend particular online filing services, type or fill out forms, or offer tax advice.

Where's My Refund?

Tax Forms by Mail or Phone

Federal

You can order many federal tax forms and publications at the IRS website.  Or you may request tax forms by calling 800-829-3676 or write to the following address: Internal Revenue Service, 1201 N. Mitsubishi Motorway, Bloomington, IL 61705-6613. You should receive a response within 10 days after your request is received.

Wisconsin

You can request forms by writing to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, 2135 Rimrock Road, Mail Stop 5-77, PO Box 8949, Madison, WI 53708-8949. You can also call 608-266-1961.

 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Services for 2023

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation of basic Federal and State returns with a focus on low to middle income taxpayers 60 and older.

  • You and your spouse are US citizens or have an ITIN
  • You and your spouse lived in Wisconsin for the entire year of 2022
  • If you or your spouse had jobs, earned income was from Wisconsin only
  • You did not get married or divorced in 2022
  • You have valid Social Security Cards for all taxpayers and dependents
  • You have valid Photo IDs for all taxpayers
  • If you are married, taxes are filed jointly and both spouses need to be at the appointment
  • Only 2022 Taxes will be prepared


If you have questions about your eligibility, email lacrossetaxaide@gmail.com or call (608) 501-1513.

  • Taxes will be prepared in one appointment, which may take up to 3 hours
  • If you are self-employed and deduct business mileage, you need to document business mileage from 1/1/2022-6/30/2022 separately from business mileage from 7/1/2022-12/31/2022 due to different rates that can be deducted
  • Online scheduling is now available 
  • If you cannot schedule online, call (608) 501-1513 to schedule an appointment
    • A volunteer will call you back Monday through Friday during business hours 
  • An appointment is required, drop ins will not be accepted
  • Appointments will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from February 8 - April 6 at the La Crosse Hogan Administrative Center, 807 East Ave South
  • If you need to cancel an appointment
    • Use the link from your confirmation email
    • If you did not receive a confirmation email, call (608) 501-1513 or email lacrossetaxaide@gmail.com and leave your name, date, and time of the appointment
    • We will not contact you to confirm your cancellation
  • If you need to reschedule an appointment
    • Use the link from your confirmation email
    • If you did not receive a confirmation email, call (608) 501-1513 or email lacrossetaxaide@gmail.com and leave your name, date, and time of the appointment
    • We will contact you Monday through Friday during business hours to reschedule 
  • These are available at any La Crosse Public Library
  • This packet includes an Overview as well as Intake Documents
  • Fill Out These Intake Forms as Thoroughly as Possible
  • Completed Intake Forms
  • Social Security Cards or Social Security form SSA-1099 (which includes the full social Security number) for all Taxpayers and Dependents
  • Government issued Photo ID for all Taxpayers such as a driver’s license, Passport, WI Identification card, University/College photo ID
  • If you want your refund to be direct deposited, proof of your bank account routing and account numbers, such as a blank check or bank statement
  • 2021 Tax Returns
  • All income statements including SSI, Social Security Form SSA-1099, 1099 R’s, W-2’s, Interest and Dividend statements, Brokerage Statements, etc.
  • Student Loan Interest Statement
  • College Tuition Form 1098-T
  • Information about child or dependent care expenses
  • Signed Rent Certificate or Property Tax statement if you are applying for Homestead Credit
  • Disability statement if you are applying for the Homestead Credit, are under 62 years old, and have no earned income
  • Form 1095-A if your Health Insurance is from the Healthcare.gov Marketplace
  • All other tax documents you receive from the IRS
  • Enter the Main doors on the West side of the building, near the handicapped parking
  • The door is opened, please do NOT ring the doorbell
  • Currently masks for Taxpayers and Volunteers are not mandatory but are recommended
  • If the CDC reports significantly increased COVID cases in La Crosse County, COVID protocols may change
  • Call (608) 492-0113 to hear updated information regarding COVID protocols

Do NOT call the La Crosse Public Library or Hogan Administrative Center with questions about Tax-Aide

To hear updated information about AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, call (608) 492-0113

If you need help scheduling or need to talk to a volunteer, call (608) 501-1513

This Tax-Aide site is made possible thanks to the dedicated volunteers of AARP Foundation, the staff of the Hogan Administrative Center, the staff of the La Crosse Public Library, and the staff and volunteers of RSVP

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