1-1. 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.
1-2. 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,
Information for Persons with Disabilities.
1-3. 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,
record keeping, 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.
See Tax Info For Business on this web site.
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.
1-4. 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 Taxpayer Advocate Program
(formerly Problem Resolution Office), with assistance available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. You may reach the hotline by calling 1-877-777-4778 (1-877-PRP-IRSU).
1-5. 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.
1-6. 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' Taxpayer Advocate Program (formerly Problem Resolution Office).
You may reach that office by dialing 1-877-777-4778 (1-877-PRP-IRSU).
1-7. 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, 7 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 Fax On Demand on this site
for information about getting the forms you need by fax.
For information on how to order forms and publications, see
Tax Topic 155. The information below may
also be helpful:
(But you don't have to go to the IRS for forms, instructions,
or publications. They are all available right here on this site.
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/
1-8. I am having troubles 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.
1-9. How can I collect child support from my ex-spouse?
You must contact your local child support agency.
1-10. 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.
1-11. Where can I get Notice 89-25 for an example of a reasonable interest
rate for periodic IRA distributions before age 59½?
Notice 89-25 is printed in Internal Revenue Cumulative Bulletin 1989-1,
which is available at most IRS offices, law libraries, and some public libraries.
1-13. I can't get my employer to pay me my pension money. Whom do I contact?
If you cannot get your employer to pay you your pension money, you should contact
the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) of the Department of Labor.
To find out which office you are serviced by, contact (202) 219-8776.
Alternatively, you may write them at:
U.S. Department of Labor
PWBA
Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries
Room N-5625
200 Constitution Ave., N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20210
Tax Topics & FAQs | 1999 Tax Year Archives | Tax Help Archives | Home
