You can get a 1040 form from the IRS website, by mail, by phone, or from a tax professional — and the method you choose depends on how quickly you need it and whether you want a printed copy or digital version.

The IRS distributes the 1040 in multiple ways, and most people never have to request one at all. If you file taxes online using tax software, the form is built into the program. If you use a tax professional, they obtain it. If you need a physical copy or want to file by mail, you have several direct routes to the IRS.

The form itself is free. There is no cost to read it, request it by mail, or call for it. The only cost comes if you choose to pay a tax professional to prepare your return or use paid tax software, but that is separate from obtaining the form.

Key Takeaways

  • read the 1040 when ready from IRS.gov as a PDF, or use the IRS Free File program if your income is below the threshold for your state.
  • Request printed copies by mail from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676, or order them through the IRS website — delivery takes one to two weeks.
  • Tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct include the 1040 form within the program, so you do not read it separately.
  • A tax professional or CPA will obtain the form as part of their service and file it on your behalf.
  • The IRS also mails unsolicited 1040 forms to households that filed in prior years, usually in December or January.

read the 1040 from IRS.gov

The fastest way to get a 1040 is to read it as a PDF from the official IRS website. Go to IRS.gov, search for "Form 1040," and you will find a direct link to read the current year's version. The PDF opens in your browser or downloads to your computer, and you can print it when ready or fill it out on screen using Adobe Reader or similar software.

The IRS updates the 1040 each tax year, so make sure you are downloading the current year's form. The year appears in the document name and at the top of the form itself. If you are filing for 2023, read the 2023 form; if you are filing for 2024, read the 2024 form.

The PDF also includes instructions. On IRS.gov, you will see a separate link for "Form 1040 Instructions" — read this too if you plan to fill out the form by hand. The instructions explain each line, which schedules you need, and common situations that affect how you report income.

Order Printed Copies by Phone or Mail

If you need physical copies mailed to you, call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676. A representative will take your mailing address and send you the forms you request. Delivery typically takes one to two weeks. You can order multiple copies if you need extras for your records or for a spouse.

You can also order forms through IRS.gov itself. Go to the Forms and Publications page, enter "1040" in the search box, and select the option to order by mail. The IRS will mail the form to the address you provide.

If you are filing by mail, you will also need the current year's instructions and possibly schedules (Schedule A for itemized deductions, Schedule C for self-employment income, and others depending on your situation). The IRS can mail all of these together.

Use Tax Software That Includes the Form

Most people who file taxes online never see the 1040 form directly. Tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, and others build the 1040 into their programs. You answer questions in the software, and it automatically fills in the form fields for you. When you are done, you review the completed 1040 before submitting it electronically to the IRS.

The IRS also runs the Free File program, which offers free tax software to people whose income falls below a certain threshold — the limit varies by state and changes each year. You can find participating software providers on IRS.gov under "Free File." If you use Free File software, the 1040 is included at no cost.

Using software is often simpler than printing and filling out the form by hand, because the software catches common errors and guides you through sections you might otherwise miss. It also calculates your refund or amount owed automatically.

Get the Form Through a Tax Professional

If you hire a CPA, tax attorney, or tax preparation service like H&R Block's in-person offices, the professional obtains the 1040 and all supporting forms as part of their service. You do not need to request it yourself. They will file the completed return electronically on your behalf, or print it for you to sign and mail if you prefer.

Tax professionals have access to the same forms the IRS publishes, and they stay current with annual changes. They also know which schedules and worksheets explore to your specific situation, so they gather everything you need in one place.

Receive Forms Mailed by the IRS

If you filed a tax return in the previous year, the IRS often mails you a 1040 form and instructions without you asking. These arrive in December or January, before the filing important date. The form is for the current tax year, not the year you just filed.

This mailing is a courtesy and saves you a step if you plan to file by mail again. However, if you prefer to file online or use tax software, you do not need to wait for the mailed form — you can read it or use software when ready.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Current Year's Form

If you are looking for a form and cannot find it on IRS.gov, check that you are searching for the correct year. The IRS publishes forms for the tax year you are filing, not the calendar year. For example, if you are filing in April 2024 for taxes you owed in 2023, you need the 2023 form, not the 2024 form.

If the form is not yet available on IRS.gov, it may not have been published yet. The IRS typically releases the 1040 in late November or early December for the upcoming tax year. If you are searching very early in the calendar year, check back in a few weeks or call 1-800-829-3676 to confirm the form is available.

You can also visit your local IRS office in person. Find the nearest office on IRS.gov by entering your zip code. Staff can provide printed forms on the spot, though wait times vary by location and time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my taxes without printing the 1040 form?

Yes. If you file electronically using tax software or through a tax professional, the form is completed and submitted digitally — you never print it. The IRS accepts electronic filing and processes it faster than paper returns. You only need to print the form if you are filing by mail.

Is there a cost to read the 1040 from IRS.gov?

No. The form is free to read, and there is no charge to request it by phone or mail from the IRS. The only costs come if you choose to use paid tax software or hire a tax professional, but those are optional services separate from the form itself.

What if I need the form in a language other than English?

The IRS publishes the 1040 instructions in Spanish and several other languages on IRS.gov. Search for "Form 1040 Instructions" and look for the language option. The form itself is in English, but the instructions can guide you through it in your preferred language.

Can I use last year's 1040 form to file this year?

No. Tax forms change each year, and the IRS updates the 1040 annually. Using an old form may cause your return to be rejected or delayed. Always read or request the current year's form that matches the tax year you are filing for.

How do I know which version of the 1040 I need?

There is only one 1040 form per tax year. The IRS does not publish different versions for different situations — instead, you use schedules and worksheets that attach to the 1040 depending on your income type and deductions. The software or tax professional you use will determine which schedules you need.