Taxmap/pubs/p911-013.htm#TXMP5bc72fd3
How To Get Tax Help

Internet. You can access the IRS website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at www.irs.gov to:

• E-file. Access commercial tax preparation and e-file services available for free to eligible taxpayers.
• Check the amount of advance child tax credit payments you received in 2003.
• Check the status of your 2003 refund. Click on "Where's My Refund." Be sure to wait at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed electronically) and have your 2003 tax return available because you will need to know your filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
• Download forms, instructions, and publications.
• Order IRS products online.
• See answers to frequently asked tax questions.
• Search publications online by topic or keyword.
• Figure your withholding allowances using our Form W–4 calculator.
• Send us comments or request help by email.
• Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
• Get information on starting and operating a small business.

You can also reach us using File Transfer Protocol at ftp.irs.gov.

Fax. You can get over 100 of the most requested forms and instructions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by fax. Just call 703–368–9694 from your fax machine. When you order forms, enter the catalog number for the form you need.

For help with transmission problems, call 703–487–4608.

Long-distance charges may apply.

Phone. Many services are available by phone.  
 

• Ordering forms, instructions, and publications. Call 1–800–829–3676 to order forms, instructions, and publications. You should receive your order within 10 days.
• Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with your tax questions at 1–800–829–4933.
• Solving problems. You can get face-to-face help solving tax problems every business day in IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. To find the number, go to www.irs.gov or look in the phone book under "United States Government, Internal Revenue Service."
• TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access to TTY/TDD equipment, call 1–800– 829–4059 to ask tax or account questions or to order forms and publications.
• TeleTax topics. Call 1–800–829–4477 to listen to pre-recorded messages covering various tax topics.
• Refund information. If you would like to check the status of your 2003 refund, call 1–800–829–4477 for automated refund information and follow the recorded instructions or call 1–800–829–1954. Be sure to wait at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed electronically) and have your 2003 tax return available because you will need to know your filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

Walk-in. Many products and services are available on a walk-in basis.  
 

• Products. You can walk in to many post offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up certain forms, instructions, and publications. Some IRS offices, libraries, grocery stores, copy centers, city and county government offices, credit unions, and office supply stores have a collection of products available to print from a CD-ROM or photocopy from reproducible proofs.
• Services. You can walk in to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center every business day to ask tax questions or get help with a tax problem.

Mail. You can send your order for forms, instructions, and publications to the Distribution Center nearest to you and receive a response within 10 workdays after your request is received. Use the address that applies to your part of the country.

• Western part of U.S.: 
  Western Area Distribution Center  
  Rancho Cordova, CA 95743–0001
• Central part of U.S.: 
  Central Area Distribution Center  
  P.O. Box 8903  
  Bloomington, IL 61702–8903
• Eastern part of U.S. and foreign addresses: 
  Eastern Area Distribution Center  
  P.O. Box 85074  
  Richmond, VA 23261–5074

CD-ROM for tax products. You can order IRS Publication 1796, Federal Tax Products on CD-ROM, and obtain:

• Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.
• Prior-year forms and instructions.
• Frequently requested tax forms that may be filled in electronically, printed out for submission, and saved for recordkeeping.

Buy the CD-ROM from National Technical Information Service (NTIS) on the Internet at www.irs.gov/cdorders for $22 (no handling fee) or call 1–877–233–6767 toll free to buy the CD-ROM for $22 (plus a $5 handling fee). The first release is available in early January and the final release is available in late February.

CD-ROM for small businesses. IRS Publication 3207, Small Business Resource Guide, is a must for every small business owner or any taxpayer about to start a business. This handy, interactive CD contains all the business tax forms, instructions and publications needed to successfully manage a business. In addition, the CD provides an abundance of other helpful information, such as how to prepare a business plan, finding financing for your business, and much more. The design of the CD makes finding information easy and quick and incorporates file formats and browsers that can be run on virtually any desktop or laptop computer. It is available in early April. You can get a free copy by calling 1–800–829–3676 or by visiting the website at www.irs.gov/smallbiz.