IRS Publication 850 English & Haitian – If you speak Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) and need accurate translations of U.S. tax terms, IRS Publication 850 (en-ht) is the official resource you’ve been looking for. This free English-Haitian Creole Glossary of Tax Words and Phrases helps thousands of Haitian-American taxpayers, tax preparers, and community organizations understand IRS forms, instructions, and publications clearly.
Updated in September 2023 (posted September 20, 2024), it remains the most current version as of 2026. Download it instantly from the official IRS website here:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enht.pdf (22 pages, bilingual PDF).
What Is IRS Publication 850 (en-ht)?
Publication 850 (en-ht), titled English-Haitian Creole Glossary of Tax Words and Phrases (Used in Publications Issued by the IRS), is developed by the IRS Tax Forms and Publications Division.
It provides standardized, consistent translations of hundreds of common U.S. tax terms from English to Haitian Creole. The IRS created it to:
- Establish high standards for language quality in Haitian Creole materials.
- Promote uniformity across all IRS documents.
- Minimize misinterpretation of tax rights and obligations.
Important note: This glossary is not a legal document. Translations offer general guidance only. Legal meanings always come from the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, and court decisions.
Why Haitian Creole Speakers Need This Glossary?
The Haitian community is one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the U.S., with large populations in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Many taxpayers prefer or need materials in Kreyòl Ayisyen for accurate filing.
This glossary bridges the language gap by ensuring:
- Consistent terminology in IRS publications, notices, and forms.
- Better understanding of complex concepts like credits, deductions, audits, and refunds.
- Reduced errors when preparing Form 1040, claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), Child Tax Credit, or other benefits.
- Reliable support for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites, tax professionals, and community translators serving Haitian clients.
The IRS uses this exact glossary when translating official materials, so it is the authoritative source for accurate tax communication.
Key Features of IRS Pub 850 (en-ht)
- Alphabetical English-to-Haitian Creole format — Easy lookup from A to Z.
- Over 500 tax-specific terms and phrases covering income, deductions, credits, filing status, penalties, audits, and more.
- Bilingual introduction — Full explanation in both English and Haitian Creole.
- Practical for everyday use — Ideal for reading Publication 17 (Your Federal Income Tax), Form 1040 instructions, or any IRS notice.
Sample Tax Terms from Publication 850 (en-ht) (September 2023 edition):
| English Term | Haitian Creole Translation |
|---|---|
| Abandoned spouse | Konjwen abandone |
| Abatement | Rediksyon |
| Ability to pay | Kapasite pou peye |
| Abusive tax shelter | Abri fiskal abizan |
| Accelerated depreciation | Depresyasyon akselere |
| Adjusted gross income (AGI) | Revni brit ajiste (AGI) |
| Audit | Odit |
| Child Tax Credit (CTC) | Kredi enpo pou timoun (CTC) |
| Deduction | Dediksyon |
| Earned Income Credit (EIC) | Kredi revni travay (EIC) |
| Filing status | Estati ranpli |
| Gross income | Revni brit |
| Income tax | Enpo sou revni |
| Penalty | Penalite |
| Refund | Ranbousman |
| Tax credit | Kredi enpo |
| Tax return | Deklarasyon enpo |
| Taxable income | Revni enpozab |
| Withholding | Prelèvman |
These precise translations help avoid costly mistakes when interpreting IRS letters or software in Creole.
How to Download and Use IRS Publication 850?
- Visit the official IRS page: Publication 850 (en-ht)
- Click the PDF link: p850enht.pdf
- Also available in EPUB format for e-readers/mobile devices.
- Print or save to your phone for quick reference during tax season.
Pro tip: Search the PDF using Ctrl+F (or Command+F on Mac) with the English term for instant results.
Who Should Use Publication 850?
- Haitian Creole-speaking taxpayers filing U.S. returns
- Tax preparers and accountants serving Haitian clients
- VITA/TCE volunteers and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs)
- Translators and community organizations
- Anyone helping family members with tax questions in Kreyòl
It pairs perfectly with other Haitian Creole IRS resources, such as:
- Publication 1 (HT) – Your Rights as a Taxpayer
- Publication 947 (HT) – Practice Before the IRS and Power of Attorney
- Multilingual IRS.gov pages (select Kreyòl Ayisyen)
Stay Updated with the Latest Version
The current edition is Rev. September 2023. The IRS periodically reviews and updates Publication 850. Always download the newest version directly from IRS.gov to ensure accuracy.
Direct download link (always current):
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enht.pdf
Final Thoughts
IRS Publication 850 (en-ht) is an essential, free tool that empowers the Haitian Creole community to navigate the U.S. tax system with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re claiming credits, understanding a notice, or preparing returns, this official glossary eliminates language barriers and promotes accurate compliance.
Bookmark the page, share it with your community, and download it today — tax season is easier when you have the right words in your language.
Need help? Visit IRS.gov, call 800-829-1040 (or 800-829-3676 for forms), or find a local VITA site that offers Haitian Creole assistance.
All information sourced directly from official IRS.gov publications and resources (as of February 2026). Always verify the latest version on IRS.gov.