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Frequently Asked Downloading and Printing Questions

We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions related to the downloading and printing of IRS tax forms, instructions and publications.

  1. What file formats do you offer tax forms in?

  2. Which file format should I select?

  3. Are you considering making the tax forms available in popular word processing formats, HTML, GIF, JPEG, or even just plain text?

  4. When printing some instructions and publications in PDF format all the words run together with no spaces between them, however, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?

  5. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get tax forms?

  6. I do not have a laser printer. Are forms printed on an ink-jet or bubble-jet printers acceptable for filing?

  7. Are forms printed on a Dot-Matrix printer acceptable for filing?

  8. Where can I get tax forms for prior years?

  9. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.

  10. Where can I download state tax forms?

  11. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damaged?

  12. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?

  13. Are there any known issues when printing IRS Forms with specific printers?

  14. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?

  15. I downloaded a form and it has an "Information Only" cover sheet. How can I get a copy of these forms for filing?


Q1. What file formats do you offer tax forms in?

Portable Document Format (PDF):
The PDF format is modeled after the PostScript language and is both device and resolution independent. Tax forms and publications in the PDF format can be viewed, navigated and printed from a workstation using the freely available Acrobat Reader software from Adobe Systems Inc. Versions of Acrobat Reader run on Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, Macintosh, LINUX, IBM AIX, Sun SPARC SunOS, Sun SPARC Solaris, SGI IRIX, HP-UX, Digital Unix and OS/2 Warp.

Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML):
SGML is a Federal (FIPS 152) and international (ISO 8879) standard for identifying the structure and content of documents. Most IRS publications and instructions are available in SGML format and require the use of commercially available software to view, search and print. A Document Type Definition (DTD) defining IRS publications or instructions, is bundled with each PKzipped self-extracting executable file. These files must be decompressed before use by executing the file in Windows or DOS.

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Q2. Which file format should I select?

The most most frequently used format is the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). This format reproduces the documents precisely as they were originally composed, provides built-in compression, is supported by all popular operating systems and is compatible with nearly any contemporary printer. The freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to view, print and search PDF documents.

SGML has become mainstream technology that is ideally suited for exchanging information contained in IRS publications and instructions. It provides many advantages, including reusability, portability and flexibility of information. SGML requires the use of a third party software application.

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Q3. Are you considering making the tax forms available in popular word processing formats, HTML, GIF, JPEG, or even just plain text?

Many popular IRS publications are available online in HTML format. The other formats, mentioned above, are not being considered at this time.

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Q4. When printing some instructions and publications in PDF format all the words run together with no spaces between them, however, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?

This issue can nearly always be resolved by obtaining and installing the most recent print driver available for your particular make and model printer. Most printer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard, provide free printer driver updates from their web sites.

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Q5. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get tax forms?

You can order many popular tax forms online at our Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail page or check out our  IRS Tax Fax Services . If you need to order items not available through these services, please call the IRS Tax Forms Distribution Center at 1-800-829-3676.

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Q6. I do not have a laser printer. Are forms printed on ink-jet or bubble-jet printers acceptable for filing?

The IRS accepts tax forms that are consistent with the official forms and that do not have an adverse impact on our processing. This policy includes forms downloaded from the Digital Daily and printed on high quality devices such as a laser, bubble-jet or ink-jet printers unless otherwise specified on the form itself. The following types of forms are not covered by this policy and would not be accepted when printed as described above: W-2, W-3, 1096, 1098, 1099 series, 5498 and W-2G. The printed version of these forms are "machine readable" forms. As such, they must be printed using special paper, special inks, and within precise specifications.

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Q7. Are forms printed on a Dot-Matrix printer acceptable for filing?

Generally not. Most Dot-Matrix printers would not produce the desired results described in Q8 above.

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Q8. Where can I get tax forms for prior years?

Prior year Forms, Instructions, and Publications  dating back to 1992 are available for downloading in PDF format.

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Q9. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.

Should you experience PDF files appearing as a blank window within your web browser after downloading, follow the appropriate steps below to resolve the issue:

Adobe Acrobat Reader
If you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader version 3.0 or earlier, upgrade to version 3.01 or later.

Internet Explorer
Please see Article ID: Q177321 in the Microsoft Support Online database for a possible resolution.

Use the "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." option to download the PDF file directly to your hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in.

  • Select "PDF File Format" if necessary.
  • Select the file(s) you wish to download.
  • Click the "Review Selected Files" button.
  • When presented with the Results page use the "Save Target As.." option to download the file. This can normally be accomplished by right clicking (left click, if your mouse is configured for left handed operation) on the title link then selecting "Save Target As.." when presented with a menu.
  • Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file after downloading.

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Q10. Where can I download state tax forms?

Tax forms for most states are available for downloading from our Link to State Tax Forms.

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Q11. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damaged?

All of our files are verified prior to posting on the web site. Most likely your download was not successful. Try downloading the file again.

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Q12. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?

Below is the procedure to use for Internet Explorer with Windows 95 or NT 4.0. If you are using Netscape, substitute "Save Target As..." with "Save Link As...".

  • Select "PDF File Format" if necessary.
  • Select the file(s) you wish to download.
  • Click the "Review Selected Files" button.
  • When presented with the Results page use the "Save Target As.." option to download the file. This can normally be accomplished by right clicking (left click, if your mouse is configured for left handed operation) on the title link then selecting "Save Target As.." when presented with a menu.
  • Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file after downloading.

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Q13. Are there any known issues when printing IRS Forms with specific printers?

  • Canon BJC 4100 - PDF files may not print properly in the printer's photographic mode. Use the printer's Graphics & Text or Automatic modes instead.
  • Canon LBP-81V - Use the printer's bitmap mode for best results.
  • HP DeskJet Printers - If provided, it is recommended to use the printer's Raster Graphics mode as opposed to the Vector Graphics mode.
  • HP DeskJet 500C - This printer has an unprintable area near the top of the page. Be sure to use the shrink-to-fit option in Acrobat Reader's Print dialog box.
  • HP LaserJet Printers - For best results it is recommended that you use the printer driver's TrueType font option to download TrueType fonts as bitmaps (not outlines).
  • HP LaserJet 5M - For best results, it is recommended that you use the standard HP Laserjet 5M printer driver and not the enhanced driver that ships with the printer.

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Q14. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?

  • Raster vs. Vector Modes - You may get more consistent results if your printer driver is set to use Raster mode for graphics. Note, not all printer drivers have this mode.
  • Dithering - Set your printer driver's Graphics/Dithering option to Fine or Coarse for best results when printing half-tone images. A setting of None will produce poor results.
  • 600dpi - If you experience problems printing to HP LaserJet printers in the 600dpi mode, try switching back to 300dpi mode or if it is equipped with a PostScript option, use the PostScript mode for 600dpi printing.
  • Printer Memory Issues using PDF format - If you encounter problems, such as a "Vmerror" printing to a PostScript Level 1 or 2 printer, it may be because the printer has insufficient memory available. Below are two potential solutions to this problem:
    • In the Acrobat Reader General Preferences dialog (select from theFile>Preferences menu) you may choose to use Serif only or Sans only for font substitution. This frees up additional memory in the printer and chances are good your document will print successfully.
    • Upgrade the printer's memory.

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Q15. I downloaded a form and it has an "Information Only" cover sheet. How can I get a copy of these forms for filing?

"Information Only" forms are printed with special inks and paper for machine processing. If you only requre two copies of a form, you may be able to order it through our web site. Larger quantities of forms or forms not available through our web site can be order by calling 1-800-829-3676.