How to Find Federal Income Tax Forms Online

  • Disclaimer: The content of this page is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice.
  • TAX DUE DATE: APRIL 15, 2008

Guide Note: Ready to do your taxes, but don't know where to get the proper forms? Not too worry. All of the forms and publications you'll need are available as downloadable PDF files online, and they're free.

How to Find Federal Income Tax Forms Online will walk you through how to procure the correct forms without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Table of Contents:

Disclaimer: The content of this page is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice.

Contact the IRS or a professional financial advisor for the most up-to-date and complete information regarding state and federal tax law.

Introduction

  • The IRS loves a form or two or three. Where do you get your hands on a limitless supply of these fine forms? Well, that's easy. The IRS website is your one stop shop for federal income tax forms and publications. The forms are available as PDF files, which you can download and print from your very own computer. You can then fill out and file these forms with the IRS. (You don't need special copies from the library or anywhere else.) Convenient, isn't it? Too bad actually preparing your taxes isn't always this easy.

Where to Find Federal Income Tax Forms Online

Find forms online. (Photo by Sanja Gjenero)
Find forms online. (Photo by Sanja Gjenero)
  • If you're using an online service like TurboTax or H&R Block's TaxCut, you won't need to assemble your tax forms yourself. These services will prepare and file the correct forms for you based on questions you answer about your income and deductible expenses. If you are going the paper and pencil route, however, you're on your own. Fortunately, the IRS makes it very easy to find the all the tax forms you'll need, along with their related instruction booklets, online.
  • Keep in mind that to download and print a PDF file, you will need to have a PDF reader, like Adobe Acrobat Reader, installed on your computer.

General IRS Resources

IRS Forms

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How to Choose the Correct Forms

(Screenshot by Mahalo)
(Screenshot by Mahalo)
  • Here's a rundown of the basic IRS forms to get you started:

Form 1040

  • Everyone must fill out a 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A. This is where you calculate and report your taxable income. Which version of the 1040 you fill out will depend on a few different factors:
  • 1040: The most commonly used form, and the one you'll likely be using. You must use this form if your taxable income is more than $100,000 or you plan on itemizing your deductions. You should also use this form if you have self-employment income. [1]
  • 1040EZ: Use the 1040EZ if you have no dependents, are under 65 and not blind, earned less than $100,000 last year and do not itemize your deductions. [2]
  • 1040A: Use the 1040A if your taxable income is less than $100,000 and do not itemize deductions, but do have some adjustments such as a retirement contribution or child tax credit. [3]

Additional Commonly-Used Tax Forms

(Screenshot by Mahalo)
(Screenshot by Mahalo)
  • Depending on your income and how you've acquired it, you may need to fill out one of the following forms. For a complete list of forms, visit the Forms and Publications page of the IRS website.
  • Schedule A: For Itemized Deductions, Mortgage Interest, etc.
  • Schedule B: Report Taxable Interest or Dividends in Excess of $1,500
  • Schedule C or C-EZ: Report Profit or Loss from a Business
  • Schedule D: Report Capital Gains and Losses, Sales from Stock, etc.
  • Schedule E: Report Supplemental Income and Losses
  • Schedule SE: Calculate Self-Employment Tax
  • Form 1040V: Voucher for Submitting Payments by Mail
  • IRS forms and publications are available at your local library and via the IRS website.

State Income Tax Forms

  • Don't forget that you may need to fill out a state income tax form as well as a federal one. To find the correct tax return forms for your state, visit your official state tax authority's website.
  • TurboTax and Kiplinger have aggregated links to every state's site here.
  • The IRS also maintains a guide to every state's important tax-related sites here.

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