Overview

IRS fill-in PDF forms use the features provided with Adobe Acrobat products. Currently, there is no computation, validation or verification of the information you enter and you are still responsible for entering all required information (instructions may require some information to be handwritten on the form).

Software Requirements

To view, complete and print IRS fill-in PDF forms you'll need the freely available  Adobe Reader software installed on your computer. Beginning October 25, 2004, new fill-in forms will be enabled with "document rights" which will allow you to save what you have filled in on your PC. Version 5.1 or later of Adobe Reader is required.

Opening the Form

Your web browser may be configured with an Adobe Reader plug-in to automatically open the file within your browser's window upon download. To download the file directly to disk, right click on the Results Page form title link then select "Save Target/Link As..." from the menu. Use Adobe Reader to open the file.

Fill-in forms with the ability to save locally will generate a dialog box when opened with Adobe Reader. If you are using Adobe Reader 5.1 or later, the dialog box will indicate that document rights have been applied to the PDF file and you can save the completed fill-in form. If you are using a version of Adobe Reader prior to Version 5.1, the dialog box will indicate that some features of the document will not operate and you will be prompted to obtain a newer version of Adobe Reader.

Completing the Form

When positioning the cursor on a fill-in area or element, the cursor will change appearance. The I-beam pointer allows you to type text. The hand pointer allows you to select a check box or radio button.

Enter the appropriate data in each box or field. To move from one field to the next, press the Tab key. You can also use your cursor to move from field to field. Place your cursor in the field you want to fill in, then left-click.

Some fields limit the maximum number of characters you can enter and may automatically advance to the next field.

For additional help with fill-in forms, see the Adobe Reader's online help information.