Where to Get Federal Tax Forms

The IRS is your best source, but think twice before filing a paper return

Daniel Bortz,

AARP

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Published January 31, 2025

Paul Spella (Getty Images, 3)

As you sit down to do your federal income taxes, you may experience a moment of panic: I don't know where to get my tax forms!

Don’t worry. Even if your tax situation is complex, there are a number of ways to get your tax forms.

Online

The IRS no longer automatically mails out tax forms, because most people file online, either through the IRS Free File service (available if your adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less), through the IRS Direct File program (offered to more than 30 million eligible taxpayers across 25 states), by hiring a tax professional or by using an IRS-certified volunteer (available if you earn $67,000 or less, have a disability, are 60 years or older, or need language support). You can find out more about these options in our guide on how to file your 2024 tax return for free.

And there are some good reasons to file your tax return electronically instead of mailing in a paper form:

You’ll get your refund sooner by filing online. A lot sooner. The IRS says that if you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued within 21 days — and even faster when you choose direct deposit. If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives your return.

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You’ll protect yourself from scammers. Scamming operations love to get their hands on paper tax returns and commit identity theft, and they can potentially intercept your paper return in the mail. However, when you file electronically, the IRS receives your return quickly and safely.

It’s easier to submit your tax return online. Electronic filing programs, many of which are free, do the calculations for you and can send your return to the IRS at the click of a mouse.

Still prefer paper tax forms? The fastest and most efficient way to get them is through the IRS website. You’ll be able to find most federal tax forms, as well as the instructions for each form, on the IRS website. You can download these forms, print them out and send them to the IRS.

By phone

To get federal tax forms, you can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676. If you'd like to talk to an IRS representative, call 1- 800-829-1040 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Peak traffic is on Presidents’ Day (Feb. 17).

In person

You can walk in and pick up your forms at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). TACs across the country offer face-to-face assistance to taxpayers, and taxpayers can pick up many IRS forms and publications there, too. Visit IRS.gov and go to Get Answers to Your Tax questions, then select Contact My Local Office followed by Find a Taxpayer Assistance Center Office to find the IRS walk-in office nearest you, as well as a list of services available at specific offices.

Elsewhere

Your local government offices may have federal and state tax forms. You can also get tax forms for free from many local libraries. If they don’t have the paper forms, they may have computers where you can download the forms and print them out.

Need help with your tax return? Try AARP's tax calculator.

Visit AARP Foundation Tax-Aide to learn about free tax prep services offered by 30,000 volunteers nationwide.

Find Your State's Tax Guide

Learn more about your state’s tax policies and tax breaks. Check back for updates and new guides.

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Former AARP editor John Waggoner contributed to this article.

Daniel Bortz is a personal finance editor at AARP. His work has been published by the New York Times, Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur, Kiplinger, Newsweek, Money and other national publications.