Tax-Time Tip from the King County Library System

Get Tax Forms and Instructions From the IRS

Spring is just around the corner… and so is tax season. As you get ready to prepare your tax return, here’s a tip to help you smooth the process, get the materials you need, and avoid that last-minute scramble to meet the April 15 filing deadline.

Budget cuts for the IRS mean there will be fewer tax forms— and no instruction books— available in public libraries. All 48 King County Library System (KCLS) libraries will have limited quantities of the three most commonly used IRS Tax return forms:  

1. Form 1040 
2. Form 1040A 
3. Form 1040 EZ 

All forms and instructions are available online from the IRS website. Free online filing forms and instructions are also available online at IRS FreeFile.

If you’re in the library, you can print forms yourself— up to 72 pages per week— from a public computer, or ask staff for assistance. The instruction books are too large to print at the library, so your best option is to find the instructions online, or request the instruction book directly from the IRS through their toll-free number 1.800.829.3676, or online

Whichever approach you choose, take care of it early, and avoid the crunch.