If you need federal tax information in Spanish, you can find it in the form of recorded tax topics, free tax publications and toll-free telephone assistance from the Internal Revenue Service.

TeleTax is a toll-free automated service, in English and Spanish, providing helpful tax topics and refund information. You can find a list of the 151 TeleTax topics in the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. TeleTax can also help you if it's been at least four weeks since you filed your return and you want to check on the status of your federal refund. Having a copy of the tax return handy will help you respond to the prompts on the automated system. TeleTax is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-829-4477.

Free Spanish publications are available by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676), or downloading them directly (you will need Adobe Acrbat Reader). Some of the more popular ones are:

Publication 1SP, "Derechos del Contribuyente (Your Rights as a Taxpayer)"

Publication 579SP, "Como Preparar la Declaración de Impuesto," explains who has to file a federal tax return and other important topics, such as which form to file, who are dependents, what income is taxable and nontaxable, and what some of the more common tax credits are.

Publication 596SP, "Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo," provides details on the Earned Income Tax Credit.

You can also talk with a Spanish-speaking IRS representative by calling toll free 1-800-829-1040 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays through April 13.