# ![](media/image1.png){width="7.270833333333333in" height="1.1458333333333333in"}Media Relations Office Washington, D.C. Media Contact: 202.622.4000 {#media-relations-office-washington-d.c.-media-contact-202.622.4000 .Folio-Text-1}

[www.IRS.gov/newsroom](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/index.html) Public
Contact: 800.829.1040

Free Tax Help Available

FS-2004-4, January 2004

The IRS offers free assistance by computer, telephone, fax and in
person. The IRS can help taxpayers get forms, publications and answer a
wide range of tax questions. The IRS can also help find free tax
preparation for those who qualify.

**Personal Computer\
**Through the Internet, taxpayers can access a wealth of free tax
information on IRS.gov. A new feature for IRS.gov this year is 1040
Central, which has all the help, forms and information taxpayers need to
file their returns. Taxpayers can check out links such as Forms and
Publications to download necessary forms, instructions or publications;
get the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to get answers to questions;
and review issues related to Small Business and Self-Employed.

Taxpayers may also check on the status of their refund using the
Where\'s My Refund? tool. They will need to enter their Social Security
Number, filing status (such as Single or Married Filing Jointly) and the
amount of the refund shown on their 2003 tax return. They will then see
a Web page that shows the status of their refund check as well as
instructions to resolve refund-related problems.

**TeleTax\
**Taxpayers may call 1-800-829-4477 to hear pre-recorded messages
covering various tax topics or to check on the status of their refund.
TeleTax topics, which range from "IRS assistance" to "who must file,"
are listed on pages 11 and 12 of the Form 1040 Instruction booklet,
available at IRS.gov -- just type "1040" in the forms and publications
search box.

**TaxFax Service\
**By using the phone attached to a fax machine, taxpayers can receive
faxed forms and publications by calling 1-703-368-9694 (not a toll-free
call). Taxpayers should follow the directions from the prompts.
Taxpayers who order forms should enter the catalog number for the form
they need. The requested items will then be faxed.

**Telephone\
**Taxpayers may order current and prior year forms, instructions and
publications by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers may
ask the IRS tax questions by calling the toll-free customer service line
at 1-800-829-1040. TTY/TDD users may call 1-800-829-4059 to ask tax
questions or to order forms and publications.

**Walk-In Service\
**Many post offices, libraries and IRS offices have tax publications,
forms and instructions available to pick up.

**Taxpayer Assistance Centers\
**Taxpayers needing face-to-face help solving individual or business tax
problems can get help every business day in every IRS Taxpayer
Assistance Center. Taxpayers can receive assistance with issues such as
IRS notices, payment plans, levies on wages or bank accounts, and tax
law questions.

Although appointments are not necessary, taxpayers may call ahead to
make an appointment at a time convenient to them or to hear a recorded
message with office hours and locations. Local phone numbers for
Taxpayer Assistance Centers are available in telephone directories and
are posted at IRS.gov.

From January through April 15, Taxpayer Assistance Centers may offer
evening hours and Saturday service. It is important to check IRS.gov or
call the phone number listed on IRS.gov or the local phone book to
ensure the office you want to visit is open.

The IRS provides non-English-speaking taxpayers equal access to all
services through a phone interpreter.

**Assistance with Returns\
**Free tax preparation is available through the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs in
most communities. Volunteers help prepare basic tax returns for
taxpayers with low or limited incomes. Call 1-800-829-1040 to find the
VITA or TCE site nearest you. Taxpayers may also call AARP -- the
largest TCE participant -- at 1-877-227-7844 to see if they are near a
local Tax Aide site.

**Braille Tax Material\
**A variety of Braille material may be ordered at no charge by calling
the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The Braille print files are
in .brf format and can be sent directly to an embosser for high-quality
Braille output.

**Publication 910\
**To find out what free tax services are available, taxpayers should get
IRS Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services.

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