1040

[sarahsp]

was unemployed last year, I'm being asked to file a 1040 this year even though i didn't have to for my 2020 taxes. did they change their rules or something? sorry for dumb question, new to filing this way instead of w2

[rjs]

NOTE: The OP changed the question after I posted this reply.

Did you collect unemployment benefits? Unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might be required to file a tax return even if you had no other income. You can use the calculator at the following link on the IRS web site to see if you are required to file a tax return.

Do I Need to File a Tax Return?

[xmasbaby0]

Sounds like you  are confused as to what a !040 is.   The Form 1040 is the tax return form you send to the IRS when you file a tax return.   If you filed a 2020 tax return you used a Form 1040.  Everyone's individual tax return is on a Form 1040.   Look at your 2020 tax return----do you see "1040" in the upper left corner?

If you had unemployment income for 2021 then it gets entered on your 2021 tax return.  Unemployment can be taxable on your federal return and on some state returns.   Did you have tax withheld from your unemployment?

You will not be able to use the  online Free Edition if you have unemployment income.   You are posting from Deluxe.   If you did not actually choose Deluxe you can switch to the IRS Free File site to file for free.

Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/