Frequently Requested IRS Publications
By J.P. Finet, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed January 23, 2024
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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
- Publication 1: Your Rights as a Taxpayer
- Publication 3: Armed Forces' Tax Guide
- Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax
- Publication 334: Tax Guide for Small Business
- Publication 501: Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information
- Publication 504: Divorced or Separated Individuals
- Publication 523: Selling Your Home
- Publication 525: Taxable and Nontaxable Income
- Publication 530: Tax Information for Homeowners
- Publication 554: Tax Guide for Seniors
- Publication 596: Earned Income Credit
- Publication 907: Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities
- Publication 915: Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
- Publication 929: Tax Rules for Children and Dependents
- Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
- Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education
- Publication 974: Premium Tax Credit (PTC)
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.
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.
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