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 toll free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) or on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, under "Forms and Publications." 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 the toll-free customer service line at 1-800-829-1040.

Note: These tips are provided to help trigger ideas on ways to minimize your tax burden, not as a substitute for professional advice. There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer - each taxpayer's situation is different. You should contact your tax preparer to determine together how this may affect your unique situation.