Tips on How to Get IRS Forms & Publications

The Internal Revenue Service has free tax forms and publications on a wide variety of topics. Because of continued growth in electronic filing, the availability of free options to taxpayers and to reduce costs, the IRS discontinued the automatic mailing of paper tax packages last tax season.

If you need IRS forms and publications, here are four easy methods for getting them.

1. On the Internet - You can access forms and publications on the IRS website 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the IRS Web Site.

2. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers – There are 401 TACs across the country where IRS offers face-to-face assistance to taxpayers, and where taxpayers can pick up many IRS forms and publications. Visit the IRS web and go to Contact My Local Office on the Individuals page to find a list of TAC locations by state. On the Contact My Local Office page, you can also select Office Locator and enter your zip code to find the IRS walk-in office nearest you as well as a list of the services available at specific offices.

3. At convenient locations in your community - During the tax filing season, many libraries and post offices offer free tax forms to taxpayers. Some libraries also have copies of commonly requested publications. Many large grocery stores, copy centers and office supply stores have forms you can photocopy or print from a CD.

4. By mail - You can call 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time – except Alaska and Hawaii which follow Pacific time – to order current year forms, instructions and publications as well as prior year forms and instructions by mail. You will receive your order by mail, usually within 10 days.

Links:

Publication 2053A, Quick and Easy Access to IRS Tax Help and

Federation of Tax Administrators – State Tax Forms

IRS Web Site Features

Tips on Getting Prior Years’ Tax Info