2003 Tax Help Archives  

IRS Procedures

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2003 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.


1.8 IRS Procedures: Forms & Publications


How can I get forms and publications?

  • You can download them electronically at Forms & Pubs or call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can order by mail using the order blank in the tax package you receive in the mail. Certain forms and publications are available by fax at (703) 368-9694 or pick them up at most local IRS offices, participating libraries, or post offices.
  • How do I obtain forms (including prior year) and publications not available on your site?

    By phone: Call (800) 829-3676 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

    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.

    References:

    • Tax Topic 105, Public Libraries - Tax Information Tapes and Reproducible Tax Forms

    Is there an Offer and Compromise form available? How can I get one?

    The Offer and Compromise form you must complete is Form 656 (PDF), Offer in Compromise.

    You can get this form by calling (800) 829-3676 or you can download it at Forms & Pubs through our internet site.

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    Are the forms that can be downloaded from this web site approved for use?

    Yes, all IRS forms are available for download at Forms & Pubs on our website. All are approved for use.

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    Can I use computer-generated tax forms instead of the IRS forms?

    IRS provides for the approval and acceptance of computer-prepared and computer-generated tax forms that are filed by individual taxpayers and tax practitioners, in place of many of the official IRS printed forms. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 253, Substitute Tax Forms.

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    Where can I find previous years' tax forms?

    You can download the tax years 1992 through the current year on this web site at Forms & Pubs. You can also order tax forms by calling (800) 829-3676.

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    After you download a tax form, how do you open the file to read it?

    Refer to our Frequently Asked Downloading and Printing Questions.

    To view/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 setup process) and open the file you just saved. If you need help getting around the IRS web site or assistance retrieving files and forms, we can help you. Call (800) 876-1715 or if outside the US and Canada dial (309) 229-7111 or send a message to the IRS Web Site Help Desk e-mail address at helpdesk@speedymail.com. Although we can be pretty busy at times we will try to help you.

    References:

    I am having trouble downloading forms and publications from your web site. What can I do?

    First make sure that you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader software. 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 setup 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.

    Also see Frequently Asked Downloading and Printing Questions on our website.

    References:

    My modem will not download your forms, what can I do?

    You can call the IRS at (800) TAX-FORM or (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 refer to Tax Topic 155, Forms/Publications - How to Order.

    If you have a fax modem and fax software, refer to 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, refer to Tax Topic 155. The information below may also be helpful:

  • Internet: Forms & Pubs
  • FTP: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf
  • The IRS web site help desk at (800- 876-1715) (or if outside the US and Canada dial (309) 229-7111) or the IRS Web Site Help Desk e-mail address at help desk @speedymail.com offer technical assistance for transmission problems (not tax help).

    Federal Tax Forms CD-ROM contains hundreds of tax forms, instructions and TIPS (Taxpayer Information Publications) for current and prior years back to the 1997 tax year. It runs on Windows 95/98/4.0 and Macintosh 7.0 or later platforms. You may purchase the CD-ROM from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at Order 2003 Tax Products CD-ROM.

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    I would like to know if I could get Publication 78 online?

    The entire contents of this publication are now listed on IRS' web site. The listing is accessible through the Tax Information for You and Tax Information for Business sections, or you may go directly to the electronic version of Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations.

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    I am looking for a Form I-9. Is it available online?

    No. Form I-9 is available from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or call (800) 870-3676.

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    I need a list of all the IRS forms, instructions, and publications.

    Please refer to Publication 910 (PDF), IRS Guide to Free Tax Services , for a listing of forms and publications available. They are also available at Forms & Pubs.

    References:

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