IRS not mailing out tax forms this year?

[xray s]

Usually the IRS sends us a package in the mail right after Christmas with our tax forms. Not this year. I have been wondering if they were just late sending it out. Well, I was just at the post office and I noticed a mail worker putting some tax booklets in a rack by the front door. I asked her if the IRS was not mailing the books out this year and she said "that's right". She said people have been getting postcards from the IRS telling people to get their instruction books and forms at their post office or library (I never got a postcard). She said they have some booklets, but the IRS didn't send any forms (they have one laminated set only). I know the library doesn't have any books or forms, only one copy of the IRS manual.

I can download the stuff from the IRS site and file electronically, but a lot of people are not computer literate (I am thinking of the elderly in particular). It seems to me the IRS has done a poor job in getting this change in policy out to the public. And confusion will rule the day this year.

Here is one example. The booklet says to use the preprinted label and IRS envelop when mailing in your return. Trouble is, you don't get a preprinted label and return envelop unless they mail the booklet to you!

I don't know if this new policy is across the country or just in some areas. Have you received a tax booklet in the mail?

[Gin]

1. I got mine...fed and state the other day

gin

[Pathwalker]

2. Ours came in the mail.

Got them 12/31. Michigan.

[xray s]

4. I am in Illinois

Maybe this is just a "test market" to try to get everyone to file electronically?

[Pathwalker]

5. Um, I heard the IRS was targeting e-filers this year,

specifally those who use tax-software packages, like my family. The IRS is angry that the tax software companies won't cooperate by "tagging" each filer as using a particular software.

[xray s]

6. I heard if you e-file you don't get a book next year

But I didn't e-file last year.

[Pathwalker]

7. Well, we did, and we all e-filed last year.

Not very consistent, are they?

[xray s]

11. Looks like Bush has everything in DC screwed up

Big surprise there!

[FlaGranny]

16. I have been e-filing for three or four years.

After the first time I e-filed, I have never received a book in the mail.

Edit: I get a card instead, more or less just an ad for filing electronically.

[NoPasaran]

3. This is the first I've heard of this

I was wondering if I was special for not getting a 1040 this year.

[nostamj]

8. got mine

<sigh>

[bobbieinok]

9. haven't gotten either fed or state

...

[xray s]

10. Just got state form today

but Illinois usually sends it out about now anyway.

[kalian]

12. Got mine....

both Fed and State...

[Gin]

13. for those who didnt get them yet....it takes a while to arrive from India.

be patient.

[economic justice]

14. That is TOOOOO funny!! Slam dunk! <eom>

[yagotme]

15. Got my package

the 12th. Booklet & forms.