Printing Instructions for Tax Forms

NCDOR provides two different types of tax forms: handwritten forms you print and fill out with an ink pen, and web-fill forms you fill out on your computer before printing. The instructions below are specific to the form type, so please confirm you are referring to the correct instructions. Following these instructions helps ensure your form is processed quickly and efficiently.

Printing Handwritten Forms

Guidelines 

• Use blue or black ink.
• Do not use red ink.
• Do not use dollar signs, commas, or other punctuation marks. 

Printing

• Set page scaling to “none.”
• The Auto-Rotate and Center checkbox should be unchecked.
• Do not select “print on both sides of paper.” 

Before Sending 

• Do not submit photocopies of returns. Submit originals only.
• Do not mix form types. 

Printing Web Fill-In Forms 

Getting Started

• Save the PDF to your computer.
• Use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete the form.

Guidelines 

• Do not handwrite any information.
• Do not use commas when entering amounts.
  • Incorrect: 99,000.00
  • Correct: 99000.00
• Do not use brackets for negative numbers. Use a minus sign to show the amount is negative.
  • Incorrect: [99000.00]
  • Correct: -99000.00

Printing

• Use the print icon on the form to ensure you have completed all required fields. This icon is located at the top of the form.
• Before printing, select “actual size.”
• Do not print on both sides of the paper.

Before Mailing

• Do not mix form types.
• Do not submit photocopies of returns. Submit originals only.