U.S. Federal Tax Forms | ProductiveandFree

You're not alone if you're confused about what a W-2, W-4, or 1040 is and isn't. Everybody must know the purposes and usage guidelines for each IRS tax form. When filing your taxes, there are numerous forms available. Choosing the correct one the first time is important to avoid an expensive error. (There are, however, some situations when you can make changes to a previous tax return to fix specific mistakes.)

Some of the more complicated tax forms are ones you might never need, but there are others you'll probably encounter annually.

1. U.S. Individual Tax Return Form 1040

The most often used IRS tax form for annual tax returns in the United States is Form 1040. Depending on your age, filing status, and gross income, you may need to use this form. This form may be appropriate for you even if you have no taxable income but are qualified for a tax credit or refund. You can also claim several tax credits and costs and itemize deductions.

A shorter version of this form, Form 1040-EZ, Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers Without Dependents, was formerly accessible. However, the IRS no longer utilizes this form, which was eliminated in the 2018 tax year.

2. Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2

Form W-2 and Form W-4 are sometimes confused. At the end of the year, your employer provides you with Form W-2, which details the total amount of taxes deducted from your paychecks.

Your employer also sends a copy of the Form W-2 to the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and some state taxing agencies. The amounts you report as income and the amounts your employer says they paid you are matched by these taxing authorities. You do not need to file this form with your tax return because your employer delivers it to the IRS, but doing so will help you report your taxable income accurately.

However, if need be, you may get preprinted Federal tax forms with their respective envelopes from a reputed facility and file them yourself.

3. Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, Form W-4

Form W-4 is not sent to the IRS or filed with your yearly tax return. Instead, you give it to your employer so they can decide how much tax to deduct from your gross salary and send it to the appropriate tax authorities. A worksheet is included with Form W-4 to assist you in calculating the amount. Try the W-4 calculator if you need help figuring out how much tax to deduct from your paycheck based on your objectives.

If your employment changes, you have to file a new W-4. In the event that your circumstances change—for instance, if you get married or have a child and wish to claim an additional dependent—you can also file a new Form W-4 with your current employer.

4. Form 1040, Schedule A: Itemized Deductions

Tax Form 1040 | ProductiveandFree — Freepik

It's possible that you've heard that you can "deduct" some personal expenses from your gross income to potentially pay less in taxes.

That is accurate.

You can itemize your deductions using Schedule A if the total amount of your deductible personal expenses is greater than the IRS standard deduction.

The seven spending categories on Schedule A include mortgage payments, medical costs, and charity contributions. However, there are strict guidelines for figuring out and claiming these deductions. You may not always be able to deduct the entire amount.

Additionally, you are not required to finish every line on the program. Just go on to the next category if you don't have any expenses in that one. Complete Form 1040 by adding your entire deduction amount when you're done.

5. Form 1099-INT: Income from Interest

If banks or other financial organizations pay you a specified amount of interest on your deposits, you might receive a Form 1099-INT from them. You'll often need to file an income tax return and pay tax on the interest.

You must include all the amounts shown on the form in your return. If the total taxable interest exceeds the $1,500 threshold, Schedule B is usually used to detail the players' names and the interest amount received.

6. Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) Schedule C to Form 1040

If you work for yourself, you might have to file Schedule C to disclose your company's gross profit or loss. Insurance, travel, business lunches, taxes, office supplies, pay, and other expenditures related to the business are all considered expenses.

7. Non-Employee Compensation Form 1099-NEC

Typically, Form 1099-NEC is sent to self-employed individuals by every customer who pays them annually. It details the total amount of money received, which you must include on your tax return. This form substitutes the Form W-2 you would receive as an independent contractor or freelancer when employed by a regular employer.

Self-employed taxpayers used Form 1099-MISC to report non-employee compensation prior to 2020. While it still exists, this form is no longer used to report compensation to non-employees. Instead, other forms of sporadic income like rent, prizes, awards, health and medical payments, and fishing boat revenues are all lumped together under Form 1099-MISC.

In the end!

The IRS may update forms annually, so be sure to utilize the appropriate tax year versions of any forms you must complete. Additionally, keep in mind that your circumstances may vary and that you may need to file more or fewer forms annually, depending on your circumstances.