What is a 1040? And does it apply to W4 employees?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

The 1040 is the tax return form that goes to the IRS.  Tax returns are filed on either a 1040EZ, 1040A or 1040.  When  you "do"  your tax return you are actually preparing one of those forms.

Your W-4 is the form you give your employer to tell the employer how much tax to withhold from your paycheck.  That form does not go to the IRS.  It just affects how much you pay in tax ahead of time and what your "take home" pay is.

You did not ask, but your W-2 is the document your employer will give you by the end of January.  That form goes to the IRS and to you.  It reports how much you earned, how much tax was withheld for your federal and state taxes, as well as how much you paid in to Social Security and Medicare.  There is a lot of information on a W-2--and all of it goes to the IRS.  https://www.thebalance.com/understanding-form-w-2-wage-and-tax-statement-3193059

[dizzyd2610]

Appreciated !

[xmasbaby0]

I am sure you know this, but I will add--all of the information from your W-2 must be entered on your 1040EZ, 1040A or 1040.