Frequently Requested IRS Publications

By J.P. Finet, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed January 23, 2024

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.

If you have questions about preparing your federal income tax return or other tax issues, the Internal Revenue Service provides a number of taxpayer resources to help. Often, the best place to start is to see if the IRS has a publication addressing your question.

The IRS produces dozens of these publications for federal tax returns and updates them each year to reflect changes to the tax rules and laws. If you can't find the answers you need, the IRS works with organizations nationwide to provide free tax help.

Below is a list of the most commonly requested IRS publications, followed by information on where to find free tax help in your community. These publications and others are available on the IRS website at: https://www.irs.gov/publications.

Popular IRS Publications

Note: Some publications address tax benefits that are no longer available. For example, Publication 972: Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents is still listed on the IRS website despite the Child Tax Credit not being available for tax years after 2021.

Other Sources of Tax Help

The IRS operates two programs to provide free tax return preparation and answers to tax questions to qualifying taxpayers. The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax help to individual taxpayers who need help preparing their returns, including those who:

  • Earn less than $60,000 a year
  • Have disabilities
  • Speak limited English

The IRS also provides Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs to assist with tax filing. TCE programs are designed for taxpayers who are over 60 and specialize in issues related to retirement plan distributions and pensions.

Free File Resources

The IRS has partners with several tax software providers to let taxpayers use their products for free if their adjusted gross income is $79,000 or less. In addition to allowing taxpayers to e-file their returns for free, the software guides taxpayers through many common tax situations. Using the free electronic filing option will also get you your tax refund faster because the IRS gets tax refunds out to taxpayers who e-file much faster than those who file paper returns.

Additional Questions? A Tax Lawyer Can Help

The IRS's resources may not provide answers to all of your questions. For example, some of the tax issues faced by the self-employed are not addressed. Those situations are where a local tax attorney can help.

A tax lawyer is a tax professional who can provide help with complicated tax situations when you aren't sure which rules apply and ensure that your return does not raise red flags at the IRS. An attorney specializing in tax law can also represent you in disputes with the IRS.

Was this helpful?

Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?

  • You may need a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA), or a tax attorney for your tax issues or IRS concerns
  • Complex tax cases (such as back taxes, criminal tax matters, tax litigation, or serious issues with the IRS) may need the support of an attorney

Tax issues and IRS matters can be challenging. A tax attorney has advanced training to offer tailored advice to resolve complicated tax situations.

 Find a local attorney

Helpful Links

Attorney Directory