E-file your return. Find out about commercial tax preparation and e-file services available free to eligible taxpayers.

Check the status of your 2008 refund. Go to www.irs.gov and click on Where's My Refund. Wait at least 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a paper return. If you filed Form 8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically). Have your 2008 tax return available so you can provide your social security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

Download forms, instructions, and publications.

Order IRS products online.

Research your tax questions online.

Search publications online by topic or keyword.

View Internal Revenue Bulletins (IRBs) published in the last few years.

Figure your withholding allowances using the withholding calculator online at www.irs.gov/individuals.

Determine if Form 6251 must be filed by using our Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Assistant.

Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.

Get information on starting and operating a small business.

Ordering forms, instructions, and publications. Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current-year forms, instructions, and publications, and prior-year forms and instructions. You should receive your order within 10 days.

Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with your tax questions at 1-800-829-1040.

Solving problems. You can get face-to-face help solving tax problems every business day in IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. An employee can explain IRS letters, request adjustments to your account, or help you set up a payment plan. Call your local Taxpayer Assistance Center for an appointment. To find the number, go to www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.

TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access to TTY/TDD equipment, call 1-800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications.

TeleTax topics. Call 1-800-829-4477 to listen to pre-recorded messages covering various tax topics.

Refund information. To check the status of your 2008 refund, call 1-800-829-1954 during business hours or 1-800-829-4477 (automated refund information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Wait at least 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a paper return. If you filed Form 8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically). Have your 2008 tax return available so you can provide your social security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. Refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you check the status of your refund and are not given the date it will be issued, please wait until the next week before checking back.

Other refund information. To check the status of a prior year refund or amended return refund, call 1-800-829-1954.

Products. You can walk in to many post offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up certain forms, instructions, and publications. Some IRS offices, libraries, grocery stores, copy centers, city and county government offices, credit unions, and office supply stores have a collection of products available to print from a CD or photocopy from reproducible proofs. Also, some IRS offices and libraries have the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, Internal Revenue Bulletins, and Cumulative Bulletins available for research purposes.

Services. You can walk in to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center every business day for personal, face-to-face tax help. An employee can explain IRS letters, request adjustments to your tax account, or help you set up a payment plan. If you need to resolve a tax problem, have questions about how the tax law applies to your individual tax return, or you are more comfortable talking with someone in person, visit your local Taxpayer Assistance Center where you can spread out your records and talk with an IRS representative face-to-face. No appointment is necessary—just walk in. If you prefer, you can call your local Center and leave a message requesting an appointment to resolve a tax account issue. A representative will call you back within 2 business days to schedule an in-person appointment at your convenience. If you have an ongoing, complex tax account problem or a special need, such as a disability, an appointment can be requested. All other issues will be handled without an appointment. To find the number of your local office, go to
www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.

Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.

Prior-year forms, instructions, and publications.

Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.

Tax law frequently asked questions.

Tax Topics from the IRS telephone response system.

Internal Revenue Code—Title 26 of the U.S. Code.

Fill-in, print, and save features for most tax forms.

Internal Revenue Bulletins.

Toll-free and email technical support.

Two releases during the year.
– The first release will ship the beginning of January 2009.
– The final release will ship the beginning of March 2009.

Helpful information, such as how to prepare a business plan, find financing for your business, and much more.

All the business tax forms, instructions, and publications needed to successfully manage a business.

Tax law changes for 2009.

Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.

Web links to various government agencies, business associations, and IRS organizations.

“Rate the Product” survey—your opportunity to suggest changes for future editions.

A site map of the guide to help you navigate the pages with ease.

An interactive “Teens in Biz” module that gives practical tips for teens about starting their own business, creating a business plan, and filing taxes.