If taxes feel overwhelming, you’re in good company. In fact, Albert Einstein himself once said, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” And no wonder–there are dozens of IRS forms and attachments to fill out, each with its own instructions and varying applicability. This makes keeping track of everything you need to file your return a dizzying prospect for most people.
Now you may be thinking, if Einstein had trouble understanding taxes, what hope do I have? But that’s why we’re here.
There are IRS forms for reporting everything from employment income and investments to qualifying credits. Below we’ll break down the most common IRS forms you may need, what they’re for, and when to use them.
Table of Contents
- Where to Start
- Most Common IRS Forms
- Common Tax Form Attachments
- Where to Send Your Completed IRS Forms
Where to Start
To get started filing your taxes, you will need either Form 1040: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR: U.S. Tax Return for Seniors. These are the standard forms used by taxpayers, regardless of whether you itemize deductions or not. Form 1040 and 1040-SR are nearly identical, except that 1040-SR is designed for taxpayers over the age of 65.
Depending on your specific income and tax situation, you will use other forms and attachments (see below) to accurately report your tax liability and calculate any taxes you may be owed.
Most Common IRS Forms
Here are just a few of the most common IRS forms you may need to fill out with your next tax return:
Form W-2: Wage and Tax Statement
Form W-2 reports an employee’s income earned and tax withholding for the year. This can also include:
- Tips and other forms of compensation
- Contributions to a retirement plan, like a 401(k)
- Cost of your healthcare benefits
Employers use W-2s to report FICA taxes for their employees. Your employer is required to send you (and the IRS) your W-2 by January 31. Most employees need a W-2 in order to begin filing their taxes. If you don’t receive your W-2 on time, contact your employer.
Form W-4: Employee’s Withholding Certificate
Form W-4 tells your employer how much to withhold from your paycheck throughout the year. (You should fill out a W-4 when you start a new job or when you want to adjust the amount currently withheld).
When you file your taxes, the total amount of taxes withheld will be credited to your return. The amount withheld is based on your filing status, dependents, and potential credits and deductions. Use the IRS Tax Witholding Estimator to calculate how much to withhold.
Form W-9: Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
Form W-9 is used to obtain taxpayer information for non-employees. These forms are most commonly used between independent contractors and companies they are working with. Companies that pay non-employees more than $600 in a calendar year are required to file an information return. They use a W-9 form to collect and record the tax info they will need.
In other words, if you are a freelancer or independent contractor, you will likely need to fill out a W-9. The purpose of a W-9 form is to certify your TIN, confirm you are not subject to tax withholding or claim exemption from backup withholding if you are an exempt payee.
Form 1040: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Your 1040 form is the primary tax document you will need to file your federal income taxes with the IRS. It reports your adjusted gross income (AGI)–or the money you made in the past year, minus any applicable credits or deductions–and calculates your tax refund or amount owed.
Most people will file Form 1040, including employees, self-employed taxpayers, or retirees who live off income from investments.
Form 1040-SR: U.S. Tax Return for Seniors
Form 1040-SR is an alternative Form 1040 for taxpayers age 65 and older. If you were at least 65 by the end of the tax year for which you are filing, you can use either form to file your taxes.
The main difference between Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR is that 1040-SR features larger print and a standard deduction chart with emphasis on senior tax benefits to make it easier for older Americans to read and understand.
Note: You do not have to be retired to use Form 1040-SR.
Form 1040-ES: Estimated Tax for Individuals
Form 1040-ES is for taxpayers to figure and pay their estimated tax. Estimated taxes are paid quarterly to the IRS on income that is not subject to tax withholding.
This means, if you are self-employed or receive income such as interest, dividends, alimony, or capital gains, you may have to make estimated tax payments. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, can use Form 1040-ES to calculate their estimated tax based on expected AGI, taxable income, taxes, deductions, and credits.
Form 1098: Mortgage Interest Statement
Form 1098 is an IRS form used to report mortgage interest during the year. If you pay more than $600 in mortgage interest, your lender will send you a 1098 form. Homeowners can use Form 1098 to figure their mortgage interest deduction on their annual tax return. However, you must be the primary borrower on the loan and actively making payments in order to use the deduction.
Form 1099-NEC: Nonemployee Compensation
Businesses use Form 1099-NEC to report payments made to independent contractors, freelancers, and self-employed individuals. (Prior to 2020, non-employee compensation was reported on 1099-MISC).
If you are self-employed and were paid more than $600 during the year by a company, that company is required to issue you a 1099-NEC by January 31 of the following year. You can then use Form 1099-NEC to fill out your own tax return.
Form 1099-MISC: Miscellaneous Income
Use Form 1099-MISC to report miscellaneous compensation such as rent, prizes and awards, royalties, medical and healthcare payments, and more.
If you receive a 1099-MISC, you can use it to determine how much income you received during the year and what type of income it was. Depending on your situation, the miscellaneous income may not be taxable if it is eligible for deductions or credits.
Form 1099-G: Certain Government Payments
Form 1099-G, is issued by federal, state, or local governments to report payments to you that you may need to include on your tax return. This most commonly includes
- Unemployment compensation
- State or local income tax refunds or credits.
If you receive unemployment benefits, these are subject to taxes. Box 1 on the form will show the total compensation payments for the year. This is the number you will report on Form 1040, Schedule 1.
Common Tax Form Attachments
As part of your tax return, you may also need to fill out and attach additional IRS forms. Here is a brief list of common attachments:
- Form 1040 Schedule 1
- Form 1040 Schedule 2
- Form 1040 Schedule 3
- Form 1040 Schedule A
- Form 1040 Schedule B
- Form 1040 Schedule C
- Form 1040 Schedule D
- Form 1040 Schedule E
- Form 1040 Schedule SE
- Form 1040 Schedule EIC
Where to Send Your Completed IRS Forms
If filing a paper return by mail, you can find the IRS office address for your state here. However, the IRS recommends filing your taxes electronically because it is more convenient and more secure. You can file your taxes free using IRS Free File or through ezTaxReturn.
See the full list of IRS forms and schedules we support.
ezTaxReturn takes the guesswork out of taxes so you can file with confidence. You can file a FREE simple federal return if you have a basic tax situation.
