Does IRS provide free tax information and services?
Yes. Refer to Tax Topic 101, IRS Services, or Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services,
which describes the IRS publications and the free tax information services you can receive
throughout the year. On this web site, see Forms and
Pubs for a complete list of forms and publications available for download, and Tele-Tax Topics for other IRS information.
Do you have assistance for taxpayers with disabilities?
Yes. Here are some of IRS' services:
- Tax Topics on this web site are compliant with the International Conference On
Auditory Display (ICAD) when you download to adaptive computer equipment.
- Special telephone assistance is available during normal business hours for hearing
impaired individuals through TDD equipment, allowing the hearing-impaired person to
communicate with a tax assistor in either English or Spanish. The toll-free number for
this service is 1-800-829-4059.
- Also, braille materials for the visually impaired are available at regional libraries
that have special services for persons with disabilities.
For additional information on these subjects and other areas that may affect persons
with disabilities, refer to Tax Topic 102, Tax Assistance for
Individuals with Disabilities and the Hearing Impaired, or Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons
with Disabilities.
I am starting a small business. What assistance can IRS give
me?
If you are starting or already have a small business and need information on taxes,
Recordkeeping, accounting practices, completing Federal business and employment tax
returns, and meeting other Federal tax obligations, there is help available. Much of the
assistance is free. The service is called Small Business Tax Education Program, or STEP.
You can find out more about this program for small business by referring to Tax Topic 103 or mailing the interest form in Publication 1057, Small
Business Tax Education Program Brochure, to the nearest IRS Taxpayer Education
Coordinator. In addition, the IRS has assembled a business tax kit, Publication 454-A,
which contains various forms and publications for persons in business or for those
starting a business.
I received an IRS notice. I've contacted the IRS at least
three times about it, but the problem still hasn't been fixed. What can I do?
Since October 1998 there has been a national toll-free Problem Resolution Hotline,
with assistance available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may reach the hotline by
calling 1-877-777-4778 (1-877-PRP-IRSU).
Are copies of tax forms available at local libraries?
If you need tax forms or would like instructions for completing your federal income
tax return, your local library may have just what you need. For further information, refer
to Tax Topic 105, Public Libraries - Tax Information Tapes and
Reproducible Tax Forms.
Is there any special assistance available on unresolved tax
matters which are creating a hardship?
If you are suffering, or about to suffer a significant hardship because of the way
Internal Revenue laws are being carried out, you may ask for special help from the IRS'
Problem Resolution Office. Refer to Tax Topic 159, Hardship
Assistance Applications.
My modem will not download your forms, what can I do?
You can call the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM or 1-800-829-3676 and place an order for
forms or publications. These numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For
more information see Tax Topic 155, Forms/Publications - How
to Order.
If you have a fax modem and fax software, see Forms by
Fax on this site for information about getting the forms you need by fax.
Forms and publications are also available at local IRS offices, many Post Offices
and libraries, and by computer:
(But you don't have to go to the IRS for forms, instructions, or publications.
They are all available right here on Tax Topics & FAQ's. Click here to see a list.)
FedWorld's help desk offers technical assistance for transmission problems (not tax
help) during regular business hours at 703-487-4608.
Federal Tax Forms CD-ROM contains hundreds of tax forms, instructions and TIPS
(Taxpayer Information Publications) for current and prior years back to the 1991 tax year.
It runs on Windows 3.1 or later/Windows 95/Windows NT 4.0/Windows 98 and Macintosh 7.0
platforms. You may purchase the CD-ROM from the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS) for $13.00 (plus a $5.00 handling fee), or call toll-free at 1-877-CDFORMS
(1-877-233-6767) for $20.00 (plus a $5.00 handling fee). Order 50 or more copies and
save $7.00 per CD.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/
I am having trouble downloading forms and publications from
your web site. What can I do?
Adobe Acrobat Reader software is needed to view and print PDF files (the preferred
format for viewing or printing IRS forms, instructions, and publications).
Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free-of-charge from hundreds of sites on the Web,
including the IRS web site. However, the best way to get the free software is from Adobe's home page. Their site offers two versions of the
Reader, versions for most platforms (Macintosh, all Windows versions, etc.), and they even
offer the user his/her language preference.
Adobe provides comprehensive instructions for downloading the software.
To view or print a PDF file from the Web, download the file to your hard drive or
diskette, launch the Acrobat Reader (an icon will be created during the set-up process)
and open the file you just saved. The document will appear on your monitor and you can
print from there. Some web browsers will launch the reader automatically when you download
a PDF file.
How can I collect child support from my ex-spouse?
You must contact your local child support agency.
How can I participate as an electronic filing originator?
To participate in the Electronic Filing Program, you must submit Form 8633, Application to Participate in the
Electronic Program. Submit your application to the appropriate Service Center as shown
on Form 8633. Publication 1345, Handbook
for Electronic Filers of Individual Income Tax Returns, provides you with the
information you need to apply to participate in the Electronic Filing Program. Technical
information can be found in Publication 1346, Electronic Return File Specifications and
Record Layouts for Individual Income Tax Returns. Updates to this publication will
appear on the Electronic filing System Bulletin Board: (606)292-0137.
Where can I get Notice 89-25 for an example of a reasonable
interest rate for periodic IRA distributions before age 59 1/2?
Notice 89-25 is printed in Internal Revenue Cumulative Bulletin 1989-1, which is
available at most IRS law libraries and some public libraries.
I have a question about my state taxes. Can you help me?
We address only federal tax and procedural issues on this site. On National Tax
Services' SisterStates page, the Link to State
Tax Forms may provide the state tax information you need. Otherwise, you will need to
contact your local state tax office.
I can't get my employer to pay me my pension money. Who do I
contact?
If you are having problems related to your pension, you need to contact the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Visit them at http://www.pbgc.gov
or call their toll-free hotline at 1-800-998-7542.
The following is an excerpt from that site:
"The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) protects the retirement
incomes of more than 42 million American workers -- one of every three working persons --
in about 50,000 defined benefit pension plans.
"PBGC was established by Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act (ERISA) in 1974 to encourage the growth of defined benefit plans, provide timely and
uninterrupted payment of benefits, and maintain pension insurance premiums at the lowest
level necessary to carry out the Corporation's obligations."
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