How to Choose the Right Tax Forms

Half the battle of doing your tax return is being sure that you have the right forms in front of you. While everyone will use some version of the 1040, you may need to use several different schedules or forms if you want to file for an extension, itemize deductions or report supplemental income and losses. The following guide will walk you through some of the most commonly-used forms and help you determine which version of the 1040 you should be using.

How to Choose the Correct Forms

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• If you're having a pro or an online service like TurboTax prepare your return, you won't need to download any forms from the IRS or pick them up at the library. In fact, these services will automatically determine which forms you need to file. If you're going the paper and pencil route, however, you're on your own. Here's a rundown of the basic IRS forms to get you started:

Form 1040

• Everyone must fill out a 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A. This is where you calculate and report your taxable income. Which version of the 1040 you fill out will depend on a few different factors:

• 1040: The most commonly used form, and the one you'll likely be using. You must use this form if your taxable income is more than $100,000 or you plan on itemizing your deductions. You should also use this form if you have self-employment income. ^[1]
• 1040EZ: Use the 1040EZ if you have no dependents, are under 65 and not blind, earned less than $100,000 last year and do not itemize your deductions. ^[2]
• 1040A: Use the 1040A if your taxable income is less than $100,000 and do not itemize deductions, but do have some adjustments such as a retirement contribution or child tax credit. ^[3]

• Consult IRS Tax Topic: Which Form - 1040, 104A or 1040EZ? (352) for more information.

Additional Commonly-Used Tax Forms

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• Depending on your income and how you've acquired it, you may need to fill out one of the following forms. For a complete list of forms, visit the Forms and Publications page of the IRS website.

• Schedule A: For Itemized Deductions, Mortgage Interest, etc.
• Schedule B: Report Taxable Interest or Dividends in Excess of $1,500
• Schedule C or C-EZ: Report Profit or Loss from a Business
• Schedule D: Report Capital Gains and Losses, Sales from Stock, etc.
• Schedule E: Report Supplemental Income and Losses
• Schedule SE: Calculate Self-Employment Tax
• Form 1040V: Voucher for Submitting Payments by Mail

• IRS forms and publications are available at your local library and via the IRS website.

State Income Tax Forms

• Don't forget that you're not just filing a federal income tax return; you need to file your state income tax return as well. To find the correct tax return forms for your state, visit your official state tax authority's website.

• TurboTax and Kiplinger have aggregated links to every state's site here.

• The IRS also maintains a guide to every state's important tax-related sites here.

IRS Resources

• IRS
• IRS Forms and Publications
• IRS Tax Topic: Which Form – 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ? (352)
• IRS Tax Topic: What is Your Filing Status? (353)

IRS Forms

• The following IRS forms open as PDF Files.
• Form 1040: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return - Form 1040 Instructions
• Form 1040A: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
• Form 1040EZ: Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Fliers with No Dependents
• Form 1040V: Payment Voucher
• Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
• Form 9465: Installment Agreement Request
• Schedule A and B: Itemized Deductions and Interest and Ordinary Dividends
• Schedule C: Profit or Loss from Business
• Schedule D: Capital Gains and Losses
• Schedule E: Supplemental Income and Loss
• Schedule SE: Self-Employment Tax

Resources for How to Choose the Right Tax Forms

• IRS: Taxpayer Advocate
• AARP: Tax-Aide
• MetLife: Doing Your Taxes
• The Motley Fool: Tax Center
• Bankrate.com: 2008 Tax Guide
• MSN Money: Tax Center
• Yahoo! Finance: Taxes: Articles, Calculators and Tools
• Jackson Hewitt: Tax Resource Center
• SmartMoney.com: Tax Guide