The Internal Revenue Service has many forms and free publications on a wide variety of topics to help you understand and meet tax filing requirements. These forms and publications are available on the internet, on CD-ROM, through fax on demand, over the telephone, through the mail, at local IRS offices, at some banks, post offices and libraries, and even at some grocery stores, copy centers and office supply stores.

If you know what form or publication you need, call the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). If you are not sure what to order, review IRS Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services, which lists publications and related forms, with descriptions and a subject matter index.

Two other helpful publications are Publications 2053 and 2053A. Publication 2053, Quick and Easy Access to IRS Tax Help and Forms/Fax Forms List, is a four page publication which explains how to get forms and publications via personal computer, phone, walk-in, mail or CD-ROM. It also includes a detailed list of forms available by fax. Publication 2053A is a shortened version, omitting the three page Tax Products by Fax list.

Personal computer users may download forms and publications from this web site. Links to state tax forms and forms that you can fill in online and print are also available on this web site.

During the tax-filing season, many libraries and post offices offer free tax forms to taxpayers. Some libraries also have copies of commonly-requested publications. Braille materials are also available. Many large grocery stores, copy centers, and office supply stores have forms you can photocopy or print from a CD-ROM.

Current tax forms, instructions and publications, as well as prior-year tax materials are available on CD-ROM. Publication 1796, Federal Tax Products on CD-ROM, can be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) for $22, plus a handling fee for phone orders. Call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767), or save the handling fee by ordering online.

Finally, you can get that last-minute or forgotten form by fax by dialing 703-368-9694 (not a toll-free call) from your fax machine and following the voice prompts to have the form you need faxed to you.