The IRS provides free publications, forms and other tax material and information to help taxpayers meet their tax obligations. Free help is available on the IRS website, by phone, at local IRS offices and at many community locations.

Note: Many low-income workers and individuals receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement, certain veterans benefits, or a small amount of earned income who usually do not file a tax return may want to utilize IRS free services this year.  Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax return will need to file a return this year to receive an economic stimulus payment. For more information see IRS Fact Sheet FS 2008-16 Stimulus Payments: Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans' Benefits.  IRS Fact Sheet 2008-16

• IRS.gov You can access free tax information at IRS.gov. At 1040 Central on the Individuals page, you can obtain forms, instructions and publications, learn about IRS e-file, determine your eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, read about the latest tax changes and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Most taxpayers can use Free File, available only through the IRS.gov Web site, to electronically prepare and file their federal tax return – for free! You can also check the status of your refund at IRS.gov by clicking on Where’s My Refund, a service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Telephone  Call the IRS Tax Help Line for Individuals, 800-829-1040, to get answers to your federal tax questions. To order free forms, instructions and publications call 800-829-3676. To hear pre-recorded messages covering various tax topics or check on the status of your refund, call 800-829-4477. TTY/TDD users may call 800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications.

• Community Resources  Free tax preparation is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs in many communities. Volunteer return preparation programs provided through IRS and its partners offer free help in preparing simple tax returns for low- to moderate-income taxpayers. Call 800-829-1040 to find the VITA or TCE site nearest you. You may also call AARP — the largest TCE participant — at 888-227-7669 (888-AARPNOW) or access www .aarp.org to find the nearest Tax-Aide site.

• Taxpayer Assistance Centers When you believe your tax issue cannot be handled online or by phone, and you want face-to-face assistance, you can find help at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center.  Locations, business hours and an overview of services are at IRS.gov.

For more information about services provided by the IRS, review Publication 910, IRS Guide to Free Tax Services available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-829-3676.

Remember that for the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov.  Don't be confused by internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.