Getting IRS Tax Forms: Federal Income Tax Forms

Getting IRS Tax Forms: Federal Income Tax Forms

Learn several ways to locate and secure free printable IRS tax forms.

If you need Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms, there are several ways to get them. The best method depends on which forms you need and how complex your tax return is. As a general rule, don't wait until the last minute to use any of these methods. Preprinted copies are usually gone by the end of March, and downloading from the IRS website can be difficult as the filing deadline approaches. The following methods for getting your forms are free, so try any of them without worry:

1. Through the mail: You can have federal income tax forms sent to you through the U.S. Postal Service by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). This service is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Processing and delivery take approximately 7–15 days. You can also order current-year federal income tax forms online through IRS Forms and Publications to have them sent to you. If you use this method, you will receive two copies of each form. Packages that include both forms and instructions are available for the most commonly used return types.
2. Download them: Go to the IRS forms index and scroll through the list of forms and instructions to download and print free printable IRS tax forms. If you are not sure which forms you need, browse the topical index. No computer or printer at home? Call your local public library and ask whether it offers public internet access and printing. Most do.
3. In person: You can usually find a good supply of the most frequently used federal forms at post offices and public libraries. They typically arrive by mid-January and are gone well before the deadline, so don't wait to get your forms even if you do not plan to do your return right away.
4. Automatically: If you mail in your tax return, you will typically be sent the same forms by mail in January of the following year. If you have recently moved, do not count on timely forwarding; choose an alternate method to make sure you get the forms you need.

There are other ways to get IRS tax forms if you want to go high tech or need several forms and publications for more than one year. You can order the IRS yearly tax package on CD-ROM. There is a $25.00 charge for the CD and a $5.00 handling fee.

• Online: Go to IRS Tax Products CD and click on “Order now.”
• By phone: Call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767) and order the CD package, IRS Publication 1796.
• By mail: Print out the order form from the above site, fill it in, and send it to:
  National Technical Information Service
  5285 Port Royal Road
  Springfield, VA 22161
• By fax: Print out the order form from the above site, fill it in, and fax it to 1-703-605-6900.

Quick Tips:

• If you are ordering or printing individual forms, be sure to get the instructions that go with them in case you get stuck.
• Do not wait until the last minute to get forms, even if you usually wait until the last minute to file.

Useful Links:

• Internal Revenue Service Homepage
• IRS Forms and Publications