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left arrowPrevious Page: Publication 596 - Earned Income Credit - EIC Eligibility Checklist
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1040Note. This booklet does not contain any tax forms.
2006  Forms and Instructions

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A Message From the Commissioner

Dear Taxpayer,

Paying taxes is a unifying experience fundamental to democracy and the rule of law. Each year, almost two hundred million taxpayers carry out this vital obligation by filing their return. The Internal Revenue Service seeks to help people understand and pay taxes as easily as possible.

More than half of all taxpayers file their taxes electronically. E-filing not only generates fewer errors than paper, but also ensures faster refunds. Many returns are e-filed by tax preparers, but increasing numbers come straight from home computers. Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less can e-file for free. Instructions for electronic filing and Free File can be found on our website at www.irs.gov.

To protect the honest taxpayer, we have strengthened enforcement of the tax laws. The vast majority of taxpayers pay honestly and accurately, and they have every right to expect their neighbors and competitors to do the same. Over the past several years, IRS audits and collections have risen significantly, and tax laws and regulations have been toughened.

If you need more information about taxes, visit www.irs.gov. Learn how to file taxes, obtain tax forms, and find out if you are eligible for the earned income credit. You may also call our toll-free numbers: 1-800-829-1040 for individuals and 1-800-829-4933 for businesses.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help. We hope this packet is useful to you.


Sincerely,  
Signature of the Commissioner 
Mark W. Everson

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The IRS Mission

Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.

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Electronic Filing (e-file) Text Description Electronic Filing (e-file)   
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Page 1 of illustrated Form 1040 Text Description Page 1 of illustrated Form 1040   
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Page 2 of illustrated Form 1040 Text Description Page 2 of illustrated Form 1040   
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"IRS Customer Service Standards"   

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Quick and Easy Access to Tax Help and Forms


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If you live outside the United States, see Pub. 54 to find out how to get help and forms.

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Internet

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

  • File electronicallyAccess commercial tax preparation and e-file services available free to eligible taxpayers;
  • Check the status of your 2006 refund;
  • Download forms, instructions, and publications;
  • Order IRS products online;
  • Research your tax questions online;
  • Search publications online by topic or keyword;
  • Figure your withholding allowances using our  
    Withholding Calculator; and
  • Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.

 

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Mail

You can order forms, instructions, and publications by completing the order blank on page 82. You should receive your order within 10 days after we receive your request.

 

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Walk-In

You can pick up some of the most requested forms, instructions, and publications at many IRS offices, post offices, and libraries. Some grocery stores, copy centers, city and county government offices, credit unions, and office supply stores have a collection of reproducible tax forms available to photocopy or print from a CD-ROM.

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Phone

You can order forms and publications and  
receive automated information by phone.


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Forms and publications.

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Call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) during the hours shown on page 10 to order current-year forms, instructions, and publications, and prior-year forms and instructions. You should receive your order within 10 days.


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TeleTax topics.

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Call 1-800-829-4477 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to listen to pre-recorded messages covering about 150 tax topics. See pages 8 and 9 for a list of the topics.


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Refund information.

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You can check the status of your 2006 refund 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See page 8 for details.

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IRS Tax Products CD

You can order Publication 1796, IRS Tax Products CD, and obtain:

  • Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.
  • Prior-year forms, instructions, and publications.
  • Bonus: Historical Tax Products DVD – Ships with the final release.
  • Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.
  • Tax law frequently asked questions.
  • Tax Topics from the IRS telephone response system.
  • Fill-in, print, and save features for most tax forms.
  • Internal Revenue Bulletins.
  • Toll-free and email technical support.

The CD is released twice during the year. The first release will ship the beginning of January and the final release will ship the beginning of March.

Buy the CD from National Technical Information Service at www.irs.gov/cdorders for $25 (no handling fee) or call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767) toll-free to buy the CD for $25 (plus a $5 handling fee). Price is subject to change.


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Other ways to get help.

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See page 65 for information.


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Refund Information


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You can check on the status of your 2006 refund if it has been at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed electronically). But if you filed Form 8379 with your return, allow 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically).

Be sure to have a copy of your 2006 tax return available because you will need to know the filing status and the exact whole-dollar amount of your refund. Then, do one of the following.

  • Go to www.irs.gov and click on Where's My Refund.
  • Call 1-800-829-4477 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for automated refund information.
  • Call 1-800-829-1954 during the hours shown on page 10.

Refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you check the status of your refund and are not given the date it will be issued, please wait until the next week before checking back.

Do not send in a copy of your return unless asked to do so.

To get a refund, you generally must file your return within 3 years from the date the return was due (including extensions).

left arrowPrevious Page:  Publication 596 - Earned Income Credit - EIC Eligibility Checklist
right arrowNext Page:  Instructions for Form 1040 - What Is TeleTax?
Use   left arrowright arrow  to find additional instances of index items.