Last-Minute Tax Tips

With tonight’s midnight tax filing deadline upon us, here’s some help on where to find forms, information and a post office that’s open until midnight:

FORMS * It’s too late to request them from the Internal Revenue Service, but federal and state forms are usually available at libraries and post offices. If the form you need is not there, a tax preparer might provide you with one. If none of those low-cost solutions will do, consider buying a 1995 tax guide with forms.

* You can also order federal, state and out-of-state tax forms from The Times by fax for $5 each. For a free directory of federal and California forms, call (800) 440-3441. Order Item No. 2834. For a directory of available forms from other states, costing $1.50, order Item No. 2835. Directories include ordering instructions.

HELP

The IRS tax help hot line is (800) TAX-1040 and will be open today from from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call early in the day. The lines are inundated this time of year, and you’re likely to get several busy signals before you get through.

PROCRASTINATION

To delay filing, complete Form 4868, which is a request for an automatic extension. It gives you four more months to fill out the federal paperwork, but if you owe taxes, you are expected to send a check with the extension form by midnight.

POST OFFICES About 50 Southern California post offices plan to stay open until midnight. To find one near you, call (213) 586-1463 or (213) 586-1467. Additionally, IRS agents will be available at six Los Angeles-area locations to hand out tax forms and offer basic advice until midnight. The locations:

* 5800 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles

* 900 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles

* 7101 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles

* 15701 Sherman Way, Van Nuys

* 15421 Gale Ave., City of Industry

* 41 Wheeler Ave., Arcadia