IRS to Stop Mailing Tax Forms

Taxpayers: Don't bother checking the mail in January for the forms and instructions you need to file your federal income-tax return. The IRS won't be mailing tax packages anymore.

Continued growth in electronic filing prompted the agency's decision to stop sending paper Form 1040s, Schedule As and other documents, according to a statement on IRS.gov. About 96 million taxpayers have filed their returns electronically this year, an IRS spokesman says. He also says the move is expected to save the IRS about $10 million per year.

The IRS will send a postcard about the change in early October to people who filed paper returns and didn't use a tax preparer or tax software. To get forms, taxpayers have the following options:

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--Download forms and instructions (which will be available early January 2011) from IRS.gov.

--Pick up paper forms from your local IRS office, library or post office.

--Use IRS Free File to fill in forms and file them electronically. Taxpayers who earn $58,000 or less can get free tax software with step-by-step help.

--Take advantage of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing if you earn $49,000 or less.

--Take advantage of free basic tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly if you're 60 or older.

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