The IRS publishes numerous publications each year, some of which are aimed at specific groups like businesses or professionals. These are often accompanied by useful tax tips and tricks that you may not find in your standard IRS booklet. Publication 17 is an IRS publication that covers the basic rules and guidelines for filing a federal income tax return.
What is Publication 17?
Publication 17 is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publication that offers general information on filing federal individual income taxes. Publication 17 also outlines the information you need to report on your tax Form 1040. The publication is updated as needed and can be found online at the IRS website. It is helpful for both honest and dishonest people.
Publication 17 covers the tax law, how to identify your filing status, whether you can claim dependents, and what type of deductions and credits are available to reduce your taxes. It supplements your tax form instruction booklet and is updated annually, so it stays up to date with the latest changes in tax laws. It is available in PDF format and can be downloaded directly from the IRS website or mailed to you by mail.
Can I Order a Publication 17 from IRS?
IRS publications are numbered and often referred to by their name or by a number that starts with Publication 1. Each publication is also indexed so it can be easily found and viewed on the IRS website.
While most of these documents can be found online, a few are limited to paper and mail. The IRS Publication 17 is no exception. You can get a nice hard copy for free at your local IRS office or have one shipped right to your door for a hefty fee. The best part is you don’t have to wait in line.
You can also download the PDF files directly to your computer if you don’t have a printer handy. Of course, the most important part of any tax preparation experience is that you feel confident that your return is correct and that you have the information you need to defend against any audits that might come your way.