General Procedural Questions
This is archived information that pertains only to the 2002 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.
I just received my tax package in the mail. Why are there so many forms and schedules in it?
We print several packages that include different forms and schedules that may be filed with Form 1040 (PDF). We mail you the package that includes the items you may need based on what you filed last year. We use packages instead of mailing forms and schedules separately as a cost-saving measure for us and a convenience for you.
References:
- Form 1040 (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Do I have to file all the forms and schedules that are in my tax package?
No. Complete and attach to your return only the forms and schedules you need to report your income, deductions, and credits.
1.8 IRS Procedures: Forms & Publications
How can I get forms and publications?
- download them electronically at Forms & Pubs
- call 800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- 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 office.
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. 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 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 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:
The IRS web sitehelp desk at 1- 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 [email protected] 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 2002 Tax Products CD-ROM.
References:
I would like to know if I could get Publication 78 online?
The entire contents of this publication are now listed on IRS's 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.
References:
I need a list of all the IRS forms, instructions, and publications.
Please refer to Publication 910 (PDF), Guide to Free Tax Services , for a listing of forms and publications available. They are also available at Forms & Pubs.
References:
10.2 Captial Gains, Losses/Sale of Home: Stocks (Options, Splits, Traders)
Is there any publication that explains the proper way to file a Schedule C as a day trader?
Publication 550 (PDF), Investment Income and Expenses, which is specific to traders, includes a section titled Special Rules for Traders in Securities.
Internal Revenue Code section 475(f) and Revenue Procedure 99-17 apply only to traders who elect to use mark-to-market method of Accounting.
References:
- Publication 550 (PDF), Investment Income and Expenses
- Publication 535 (PDF), Business Expenses
- Form 3115 (PDF), Application for Change in Accounting Method
- Internal Revenue Code section 475(f)
- Revenue Procedure 99-17
I am a stock day trader. I understand I have the option of electing the mark-to-market method of accounting which would preclude the application of the wash sale rule. What forms and publications do I need?
If your trading activity is a business, your trading expenses would be reported on Form 1040, Schedule C (PDF), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship) instead of Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), Itemized Deductions. Your gains or losses, however, would be reported on Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), Capital Gains and Losses, unless you file an election to change your method of accounting to the mark-to-market method of accounting.
See Publication 550 (PDF), Investment Income and Expenses (p. 63) for guidance on how to make the mark-to-market election. You need Form 3115 (PDF), Application for Change in Accounting Method. The mark-to-market method of accounting cannot be revoked without the consent of the Secretary.
If you qualify and elect to change to the mark-to-market method of accounting, you would report your gains or losses on Part II of Form 4797 (PDF), Sales of Business Property.
References:
11.4 Sale or Trade of Business, Depreciation, Rentals: Sales, Trades, Exchanges
What form(s) do we need to fill out to report the sale of rental property?
The gain or loss on the sale of rental property is reported on Form 4797 (PDF), Sale of Business Property. Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), Capital Gains and Losses, is often used in conjunction with Form 4797. For further information, refer to Publication 544 (PDF), Sale on Other Disposition of Assets,Publication 550 (PDF), Investment Income and Expense, the Instructions to Form 4797 (PDF), Sale of Business Property, and the Instructions to Form 1040, Schedule D, Capital Gain and Losses.
References:
How do I file the gain on an installment sale of business property in each year? What form do I use?
Use Form 6252 (PDF), Installment Sale Income, to figure your installment sale income each year. This form does not account for taxable interest income from the sale that needs to be reported each year by the seller, usually on Form 1040, Schedule B (PDF), Interest and Ordinary Dividends.
You may also need Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), Capital Gains and Losses, and Form 4797 (PDF), Sales of Business Property. For additional information including forms and instructions, refer to Publication 537 (PDF), Installment Sales
References:
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