The 1040EZ is the simplest of the three tax forms, next in complexity is the 1040A (and then the 1040).
- Form 1040EZ is a one-page form with four short sections and is often used by first time filers. Refer to the following links for details on Form 1040EZ:
The only types of income you can list on Form 1040EZ are wages, salaries, tips, taxable scholarships or fellowship grants, taxable interest of $1,500 or less, unemployment compensation and Alaska permanent fund dividends. If you have income from sources other than these, such as alimony or dividends, then you will have to file your taxes on either Form 1040 or Form 1040A.
- Form 1040A allows for the reporting of more detail than the 1040EZ, but not as much as the 1040. These links review more information on this form:
Most persons using Form 1040 or 1040A have additional forms they need to include in their tax return, or they have enough deductions to exceed the standard deduction. Having mortgage interest and property taxes are a typical situation where you might be able to benefit by itemizing deductions.
- Form 1040 is the form that allows for more complex tax situations (examples: itemizing deductions, attaching schedules and reporting a wide variety of income). To learn more about form 1040, see these links:
