IRS Tax Tip 2014-06, February 4, 2014

The IRS offers free tax forms and publications on many topics. Here are four easy ways to get the tax products you need from the IRS:

1. On the Internet.  Get everything you need 24 hours a day 7 days a week on IRS.gov. To view and download tax products, click on the ‘Forms and Pubs’ tab. Many products appear online before they’re available on paper.
2. Order by Phone.  Call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Hours of service in Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time. You’ll typically receive your order by mail within 7 to 10 days.
3. In IRS Offices.  Get the tax products you need at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country. Visit IRS.gov to find the nearest IRS Center. Select the ‘Help and Resources’ tab, and then click on ‘Contact Your Local IRS Office.’ Use the ‘Office Locator’ tool to search for the closest office by zip code. You can also select your state for a list of offices and services available at each office.
4. In Your Community.  Many libraries and post offices offer free tax forms during the tax filing season. Some libraries also have copies of common IRS publications.

Additional IRS Resources:

• IRS Free File
• Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide (PDF)

IRS YouTube Videos:

• How to Get 1040 Forms – English | Spanish | ASL
• IRS Tax Forms and Publications – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• How to Get 1040 Forms – English | Spanish
• Tax Forms and Publications – English | Spanish

IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2014-04, February 3, 2014

Update Feb. 12, 2014 — revised to correct the average EITC amount in 2013.

For nearly 40 years, the Earned Income Tax Credit has been helping low- to moderate-income workers by giving them a boost to their income. Four out of five eligible workers claim EITC, but the IRS wants every eligible worker to claim and get this credit.

Here are some things the IRS wants you to know about this important credit:

• Review your eligibility.  If you worked and earned under $51,567, you may be eligible for EITC. If your financial or family situation has changed, you should review the EITC eligibility rules. You might qualify for EITC this year even if you didn’t in the past. Workers who qualify for EITC must file a federal income tax return and specifically claim the credit to get it, even if they do not have a requirement to file a return.
• Know the rules.  Before claiming EITC, you need to understand the rules to be sure you qualify. It’s important to get it and get it right. There are several factors to consider:
• Your filing status can’t be Married Filing Separately.
• You must have a valid Social Security number for yourself, your spouse if married, and any qualifying child listed on your tax return.
• You must have earned income. Earned income includes earnings such as wages, self-employment and farm income.
• You may be married or single, with or without children to qualify. If you don’t have children, you must also meet age, residency and dependency rules.
• If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone, special rules apply.
• Lower your tax or get a refund.  The EITC reduces your federal tax and could result in a refund. If you qualify, the credit could be worth up to $6,044. The average credit was $2,335 last year.
• Use free services.  Don’t guess about your EITC eligibility. Use the EITC Assistant tool on IRS.gov. The tool helps you find out if you qualify and will estimate the amount of your EITC. The best way to file your return to claim EITC is to use IRS Free File. Free brand-name software will figure your taxes and EITC for you. Combining e-file with direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to get your refund. Free File is available exclusively on IRS.gov/freefile. Free help preparing and e-filing your return to claim your EITC is also available at thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites around the country.

For more information, see IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. It’s available in English and Spanish on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Additional IRS Resources:

• Schedule EIC

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Earned Income Tax Credit – English | Spanish

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