1040EZ or 1040? Choosing the Right Form to File

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Choosing the right IRS tax form to file will save you hours of time and stress. After reading this article you should be able to correctly choose the simplest tax form to file for your situation.

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1040EZ (the shortest form)

You can use form 1040EZ, the shortest and easiest IRS tax form, if:

Your total income is under $100,000.
Your interest income is under $1,500.
Your only income is from wages, interest, unemployment compensation.
Your filing status is single or married filing jointly.
You and your spouse are under 65 years old.
You do not have any adjustments to income.
You are only claiming the standard deduction.
You may claim the Earned Income Credit.
You are not claiming any other tax credits.

Official IRS 1040EZ Form and Instructions:
- 1040EZ Form
- 1040EZ Instructions

1040A (the short form)

Most taxpayers will qualify to use form 1040A, commonly called the "short form." Form 1040a allows you to claim the most common deductions and adjustments to income.

You can use form 1040a if:

Your total income is under $100,000.
At any age or filing status.
You have income from wages, interest, dividends, capital gain distributions, IRA or pension distributions, unemployment compensation, or Social Security benefits.
You can claim the following adjustments to income: penalty for early withdrawal of savings, IRA contributions, student loan interest.
You can claim the following tax credits: Child and dependent care credit, credit for the elderly and disabled, education credits, child tax credit, retirement savings contributions credit and earned income credit.

You can't use form 1040A if you want to itemize your deductions. Most taxpayers qualify to use form 1040A, so you may want to begin with this tax form. But just to be sure, you might want to look over all of the types of income and deductions found on form 1040.

Official IRS 1040A Form and Instructions:
- 1040A Form
- 1040A Instructions

1040 (the long form)

Any taxpayer can use form 1040, though it takes longer to fill out. Form 1040 can handle all tax situations, no matter how complex.

You must use Form 1040 if:

You have income of $100,000 or more.
You are itemizing your deductions such as mortgage interest or charitable contributions.
You have income from a rental, business, farm, partnership, S-corporation or trust.
You have foreign wages, paid foreign taxes, or are claiming tax treaty benefits.
You sold stocks, bonds, property or mutual funds.
You are claiming adjustments to income for educator expenses, tuition and fees, moving expenses, or health savings accounts.

If you have any doubt about which form to file please use form 1040. This is the safest option and you can never go wrong by using form 1040.

Official IRS 1040 Form and Instructions:
- 1040 Form
- 1040 Instructions