Need an IRS form, information, or notice in a different format or language? Here’s how to find them and make requests for future notices and letters to be sent in your preferred language.

Tax Forms and Information

Accessible Formats

The IRS already provides a number of accessible tax forms, instructions, and publications on its Accessible Forms and Publications page, including some TAS publications, so look there first.

To request paper copies of tax forms, instructions, or publications in Braille or large print, you can also call the tax form telephone number at 800-829-3676.

If you are having trouble requesting these products or have questions about current and future accessibility services or other alternative media formats available to taxpayers with disabilities, please call the Accessibility Helpline at 833-690-0598. For more information, also see our TAS Tax Tip: Additional help is now available for visually impaired and other taxpayers with disabilities.

Languages other than English

In recent years, the IRS has worked to expand its forms, publications, services, and websites to be available in languages other than English.

Taxpayers can now view and download several tax forms and publications, such as Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese. Just go to the IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications site and search for the form you want to see if it available in another language. Not all are available in other languages yet, but progress is being made.

For websites, IRS.gov pages have links to any available translations on the right side, just below the title. Languages currently available include Spanish, Chinese simplified and traditional, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, and Haitian-Creole. For more information about multilingual website resources, see IRS Publication 4744-H, IRS Multilingual Websites Fact Sheet and visit the IRS.gov Languages page.

TAS is also working to add other language translation options on our website. Right now, our website is available in Spanish.

Tax Notices and Letters

Accessible Formats

In October 2021, we ran an article about the IRS sending letters to anyone who previously claimed the additional standard deduction for the blind on their Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR tax return within the last two tax years, advising of a new Form 9000 (available in English and Spanish).

This form can now be included with your tax return or mailed it by itself to request that the IRS send you IRS correspondence in alternative media formats, when available. Only use this form if you want future correspondence in Braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats.

For additional help available for visually impaired and other taxpayers with disabilities, see TAS Tax Tip: Additional help is now available for visually impaired and other taxpayers with disabilities.

Language Preferences

Taxpayers can now use Form 1040 Schedule LEP, Request for Alternative Language Products by Taxpayers With Limited English Proficiency (in English or Spanish), to state a preference to receive written communications from the IRS in an alternative language, when communications in the language are available. There are currently twenty language choices to choose from.

So, if you want future IRS correspondence in a language familiar to you, simply follow the LEP instructions and file the schedule with your tax return. Once processed, the IRS will be able to determine your translation needs and will provide you translations when available.

Other Language Assistance for IRS Tax Related Issues

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee.

For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/litcmap or IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List (English and Spanish). This publication is also available online or by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-829-3676.

Visit the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Get Help center for a list of tax topics to assist you with resolving many tax related issues.

For more updates from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, visit the news and information center to read the latest tax tips, blogs, alerts and more.

The post TAS Tax Tip: Accessible tax forms and language options appeared first on Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Source: taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov