Name of person making request
The name as shown on the tax return.
1040 Sch. LEP
Request for Change in Language Preference
- Agency
- IRS
- Revision
- Rev. December 2024
- Fillable fields
- 23
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- IRS form page
- Checked
- October 21, 2026
Schedule LEP (Form 1040): Request for Change in Language Preference
Schedule LEP (Form 1040), Request for Change in Language Preference, tells the IRS which language a person would prefer for written communications. The IRS About page says to use it to state a preference to receive written communications from the IRS in an alternative language.
The schedule is attached to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR or 1040-SS. The instructions say it is not mandatory and can be filed by taxpayers with limited English proficiency to indicate or change their language of preference. Line 1 lists 20 languages, plus a code to cancel a previous election and return to English. Written communications can include letters and notices, general correspondence, tax forms, instructions and publications.
The instructions also say you may not immediately receive written communications in the requested language, and that communications continue in English until they are translated. You can fill out the schedule free in your browser on this page and download it without an account.
What's on Schedule LEP
Social security number
The SSN of the person making the request.
Line 1: language list
Codes 001 to 020: Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Tagalog, Portuguese, Polish, Farsi, French, Japanese, Gujarati, Punjabi, Khmer, Urdu, Bengali, Italian, and Chinese (Traditional) and (Simplified).
Code 000
Cancel previous election, for someone who chose another language before and wants English again.
Page 2: instructions
Purpose of form, who can file, how to file, and guidance for the name, joint returns, the SSN and line 1.
How to fill out Schedule LEP
- 1
Name
The instructions say to enter the name exactly as it appears on your tax return.
- 2
Social security number
Enter the SSN shown on your tax return. On a joint return, enter only the SSN of the spouse making the request. If you have an ITIN, enter it instead.
- 3
Line 1
Check only one box. The instructions say the selection applies to future written communications, including correspondence about other tax years, until it is changed or cancelled.
- 4
Joint returns
If both spouses prefer a language other than English, complete a separate Schedule LEP for each spouse.
- 5
Attach it
File it with your income tax return. If you e-file Schedule LEP with your return, the instructions say not to file the paper version.
Why fill Form 1040 Sch. LEP on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
- Free to fill and free to download, with no account
- The official blank straight from the IRS, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
How to file, timing and other help
With your return only
The instructions say you can state this preference only by filing Schedule LEP with your income tax return.
E-filing
If you e-file Schedule LEP with your tax return, the instructions say not to file the paper version. See www.irs.gov/efile.
Which years
File it with your current year tax return or any later year return, but the instructions say not with any year prior to 2020.
When it takes effect
The instructions say you may not immediately receive written communications in the requested language and will keep receiving them in English until they are translated.
Other language help
The form points to www.irs.gov/MyLanguage for basic filing information in other languages and to www.irs.gov/VITA for the VITA and TCE programs.
Related forms
1040
U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
199 fields, 2 pages
1040-SR
U.S. Income Tax Return for Seniors
200 fields, 4 pages
1040-NR
U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
171 fields, 2 pages
1040-SS
U.S. Self-Employment Tax Return (Including the Additional Child Tax Credit for Bona Fide Residents of Puerto Rico)
132 fields, 3 pages
W-7
Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
69 fields, 1 page
Who files Schedule LEP?
The instructions say Schedule LEP is not mandatory. It is filed by individual taxpayers with their own income tax return.
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Questions about Form 1040 Sch. LEP
Is Schedule LEP mandatory?
No. The instructions say it is not mandatory but can be filed with a tax return by taxpayers with limited English proficiency.
Which languages can I choose?
Line 1 lists Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Tagalog, Portuguese, Polish, Farsi, French, Japanese, Gujarati, Punjabi, Khmer, Urdu, Bengali, Italian, and Chinese (Traditional) and (Simplified).
Can I file Schedule LEP by itself?
The instructions say the preference can be stated only by filing Schedule LEP with your income tax return.
How do I switch back to English?
Check 000 Cancel previous election and file a new Schedule LEP with the return for a subsequent tax year.
When will IRS letters arrive in my language?
The instructions say you may not receive them immediately. Notices and letters continue in English until they are translated to your preferred language.
Do married couples file one Schedule LEP?
No. The instructions say to file a separate form for each spouse who prefers an alternative language, even if both prefer the same one.
Does my choice cover other tax years?
The instructions say the selection is effective for future written communications, including correspondence about other tax years, until it is changed or cancelled.