Forms - User Instructions

Adobe Reader is required to view and print forms, instruction files, and any other PDF files found throughout this site. To obtain the latest version of the free Adobe Reader, please visit the Adobe Web site. If you are having problems downloading or printing forms, please see our Frequently Asked Questions: Downloading PDF Documents.

Some forms are provided with the fill-in feature. You can identify fill-in forms by the (Fill-in) text next to the form number. These forms allow you to enter your personal information directly onto the form. Fill-in forms do not compute tax, validate math, or verify the information you enter. Be sure to enter and verify all required information (instructions may require some information to be handwritten on the form).

Beginning this year, you can save your entries on some fill-in forms on your computer. You can identify savable forms by the (Fill-in & Save) text next to the form number. You need Adobe Reader version 6.0.2 or higher to save form entries on your computer.

Downloading Forms | Completing Fill-in Forms | Saving Forms

Downloading Forms

You can download and print New York State tax forms from this Web site.

You need the free Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher to view and print the tax forms.

View a form by clicking the link to the form number or use the following steps to download the form:

Right-click on the link to the form number.

Select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As."

Save the form on your computer. Make a note of where you save the form.

Open Adobe Reader.

Select File, select Open, locate the form, and double-click on the form name.

Completing Fill-in Forms

We provide the forms in either regular or fill-in formats. Fill-in forms are identified by labels within the link to the form number. Please note that there is no computation or verification of the information you enter, and you are still responsible for entering all required information, which may include handwritten entries as needed according to the form's instructions (for example, the taxpayer's signature or special marginal notations). Using the free Adobe Reader, you will be able to open the forms, type in your data, and print a completed form to mail to the appropriate address.

Don't forget to sign any forms that require a signature and to keep a copy of your signed return for your records; see the return instructions for guidance on how long you need to keep these copies.

To complete a fill-in form, select and open the desired fill-in form. Select the hand tool from the Acrobat toolbar and place the hand pointer inside the first form field you want to complete and click your left mouse button. The I-beam pointer should appear and allow you to type in information. To allow for sufficient space in a field for typing characters, please avoid using all capital letters. The arrow pointer or pointing finger allows you to select a field, a check box, or an item from a list. To mark a check box, click the left mouse button (click again to unmark it), or type an X in the box if nothing appears after clicking your left mouse button. Press the Tab key to accept your entry and to move to the next field. Press the Shift key plus the Tab key simultaneously to accept a field and go to a previous field on the form. If you happen to press the Enter or Return key, you may temporarily lose your cursor. Simply click your left mouse button in the field you want and the cursor will return.

You can move around the form without using the Tab key by clicking in any field in which you want to position your cursor. After making all your entries and before you print your form, click your left mouse button on an area of the form that is not a fill-in field so that no data entry field is left active. Active fields containing the blinking I-beam will not print their contents. To print your form, click the printer icon on the Acrobat toolbar and select the number of copies you would like to have printed for mailing and your own records. Make sure you sign any forms that have a signature area. Be sure to make a copy of your completed forms after they are signed.

Saving Forms

New this year, the following forms now allow you to save your entries with the use of Adobe Reader version 6.0.2 or higher. Look for "Fill-in & Save" next to the form number on the appropriate Forms page or select the form below:

IT-2	IT-150
IT-201	IT-201-ATT
IT-203	IT-203-ATT
IT-213	IT-214
IT-215	IT-216

Adobe Reader initiates a pop-up message when you open a fill-in form. If you are using Adobe Reader 6.0.2 or higher, the message will indicate that the form has document rights and you can save the completed fill-in form. If you are using an older version of Adobe Reader the dialog box will indicate that some features will not operate and you will be prompted to download a current version of Adobe Reader.

Caution: When using a public computer (library, computer cafe, etc.), saving your entries may make your personal information available to others. To avoid this, never save your personal information on a form accessed from a public computer.

See Completing Fill-in Forms above for more information on how to complete the fill-in form before saving.

When you have completed the form, remember to save your information, then print as usual.

Last Modified: December 7, 2007