When do tax seasons start?
The IRS announces the start of the tax season near the beginning of each year. Tax filings are typically due around April 15 of each year for the previous year.
Where can I get forms?
The Library will print one (1) free copy of any individual form for you to fill out and mail in. We do not print copies of the large instruction booklets. Lincolnwood residents can use their $15.00 yearly printing credit to print out additional copies of forms or whole instruction booklets. See more information about printing and copying.
Forms, instructions, and publications are available to download for printing at:
- the Federal IRS forms site and their forms search engine, and
- the State of Illinois Department of Revenue site
See information about accessible IRS forms and services at their Accessible Forms & Publications page. See more about accessible services from the library.
Federal forms
- You can also request up to 100 copies of any form, 5 copies of any set of instructions, and/or 5 copies of any publication from the federal IRS.
- Go to the IRS Forms and Publications by Mail page and fill out their form to order, or call 800-829-3676.
Illinois forms
- You can request up to 2 copies of any form or publication from the State of Illinois.
- Go to the Illinois Department of Revenue Submit Request for Mailed Forms or Pulications page and fill out their form to order, or call 800-732-8866, 217-782-3336, or TDD 800-544-5304.
Download tax forms from prior years from the federal IRS or the Illinois Department of Revenue:
Where should forms be mailed?
Mailing addresses for Illinois residents are available at the IRS Where to File Addresses page, whether or not you’re including a payment.
Mailing addresses for individual, business, and other forms are available at the IDOR Mailing Addresses page.
How can I file online?
There are many services that help or allow you to file your taxes online.
- The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant answers tax questions based on your responses. It does not file taxes.
- Create an account with the IRS Free Fillable Forms program.
- IRS FreeFile - Choose to file online with options vetted by the IRS.
- Create an account to file Illinois taxes for free with the State’s MyTax IIllinois program.
How can I get help filing my taxes?
Some programs and organizations help individuals fill out and file their taxes for free. These programs generally require people to be a certain age or have earned a certain amount of income in the tax year.
- Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and then Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. Find a location to get help during tax season.
- IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Illinois
The AARP offers a Tax-Aide program for those over the age of 50 with low to moderate income and offers multiple locations during tax season.
Ladder Up offers a Tax Assistance Program with multiple locations and times available with certain eligibility requirements.
The Cook County-based Center of Concern offers all of their services in Lincolnwood, including their Tax Assistance Program with accountants who can answer income tax questions and help with preparing basic tax returns.
Being contacted by the IRS and Scams
The IRS doesn’t start contacting taxpayers by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. The IRS also doesn’t request credit card, bank/financial account access information like PIN numbers, or passwords. The IRS does not use gift cards.
- Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter - The IRS explains why you received a notice or letter from them and takes you through what to do, where to get help, and more.
- If the IRS sent you information including an access code, you may be able to submit documents to them using their document upload tool.
- Reporting phishing and online scams to the government
- IRS Identity Theft page
- IRS Tax Fraud Alerts
- the Illinois Department on Aging Legal Assistance may be able to help Illinois residents 60 years and older with matters related to consumer fraud and financial exploitation.
More information
Information about federal refunds
IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights page (printable version)
Illinois Department of Revenue
IRS Tax Information for Businesses
US Tax Law - See the full text of US IRS Code, Title 26 USC.