Tax season officially begins January 29, 2024. Both the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board have updated their web sites. Tax forms for tax year 2023 are available online. Filing deadline is April 15, 2024. For a listing of free tax assistance providers in San Francisco click on the Tax Help (PDF) button on the left. See the 2024 Tax Calendars (PDF).
Federal and California Tax Forms: are available online. They can be completed online, downloaded or printed. Paper copies of IRS 1040 and 1040EZ as well as California 540 and 540 2 EZ will be available for reference and copies may be available for pick up at the Government Information Desk during tax season.
1099 and all other forms are available online. The San Francisco Public Library does not have these forms on hand to distribute. For all tax products, please call the IRS Assistance Center at (800) 829-3676.
Which Form Do I Use?
Federal
- For information on which form to use, where and when to file, see page 8 of the IRS 1040 instruction booklet.
State of California
- The California Franchise Tax Board can help you to determine which form to file.
Assistance with Filing Your Return
- Frequently Asked Questions from the CA Franchise Tax Board.
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Online Tax Assistance.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) - Search by city or county for best results.
- Tax Aid provides free high-quality tax return preparation for Bay Area families.
- Earn it! Keep it! Save it! List of Bay Area counties that offer tax help, courtesy of the United Way.
- Free Tax Help: File your taxes for free online and by phone.
- If you believe a federal tax issue cannot be resolved online or over the phone, call the Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) at 1-844-545-5640.Or find a TAC near you. Assistance at the TAC requires an appointment.
Free Online Filing
Federal
- The Internal Revenue Service offers free filing options if you meet certain qualifications.
State of California
- The Franchise Tax Board offers a free e-file program, CalFile, if you meet certain qualifications.
Filing by Mail – Where to Send Returns
Federal
State of California
- State tax forms for California and tax-related correspondence are sent to Sacramento. All 540 forms have mailing addresses on them.
Working Families Credit (WFC)
The Working Families Credit (WFC) Program provides up to $250 to low- and moderate-income San Francisco families who have qualified for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The WFC application deadline is April 18, 2023.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low-to-moderate-income working taxpayers get more money back when they file their federal income tax return.
Federal forms and instructions for previous years are available for downloading.
- 1040 form (PDF) and 1040 instructions (PDF)
- 4868 -automatic extension (PDF) of time to file as an individual.
or order forms by phone: Call 800-829-3676
IRS2Go Mobile App
The IRS's official mobile app. Check your refund status, make a payment, find free tax preparation assistance, sign up for helpful tax tips, and more!
All forms and publications for 2023 and for previous years are available from the California Franchise Tax Board.
To order forms by phone: Call 800-338-0505
FTB Mobile App
The FTB Mobile App is an official app of the Franchise Tax Board. Check the refund status of your California state income tax return. Make payment.