1040EZ - Federal 1040EZ - Free Federal 1040EZ Forms

If you used a 1040EZ form last year and you received another one in the mail this year because it was what you used last year, you should know that you don’t have to use this form again. If your situation has changed, you may not be able to use this form any longer, especially if you have many different deductions that you will need to input. It’s important to remember that form 1040EZ is for those that have a very straight forward tax situation and generally there is not a place for itemized deductions. You can deduct more general things, but if you want to itemize you should use the 1040A form that will allow you more space for the itemized deductions.

You can still use the 1040 EZ if you do not claim any dependents and if you do not claim a deduction for educator expenses, the student loan interest deduction, or the tuition feeds and deductions. You also cannot claim the education credit, retirement savings contributions credit, or the health insurance credit. If you will not be deducting these items you can still use the form, though many find it easier to simply use the 1040 forms because they are meant for more complicated tax situations. If you like the EZ form you can still use it as long as you meet all of the criteria such as not owing any household employment taxes on wages paid to a household employee. You also cannot be a nonresident alien, or have received any advance earned income credit payments. In addition you can only have had wages, salaries, tips and other compensation that does not total $1,500.

Using the 1040EZ form really is very simple and straight forward and that is why so many people really like the form. When filling out the form you should do the first draft in pencil and then trace over it in pen so that you are certain you have filled out everything correctly. As simple as the form is compared to other tax forms, you can still make mistakes and it is a good idea to go slowly and do things in pencil so you can make changes if needed, when you correct your work. If you input all of your deductions and you still owe, be sure to make your check out to the “United States Treasury” to complete your taxes for the year.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. You can still use the 1040 EZ if you do not claim any dependents and if you do not claim a deduction for educator expenses, the student loan interest deduction, or the tuition feeds and deductions. Using the form 1040EZ really is very simple and straight forward and that is why so many people really like the form. When filling out the form you should do the first draft in pencil and then trace over it in pen so that you are certain you have filled out everything correctly.

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You can check on the status of your 2007 refund if it has been at least 6 weeks from the date you filed your return (3 weeks if you filed electronically). But if you filed Form 8379 with your return, allow 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically).

Be sure to have a copy of your 2007 tax return available because you will need to know the exact whole-dollar amount of your refund. You will also need to know your filing status. Then, do one of the following.

• Go to www.irs.gov and click on Where's My Refund.
  
• Call 1-800-829-4477 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for automated refund information.
  
• Call 1-800-829-1954 during the hours shown below under Calling the IRS.

Refunds are sent out weekly on Fridays. If you check the status of your refund and are not given the date it will be issued, please wait until the next week before checking back.

Do not send in a copy of your return unless asked to do so.

To get a refund, you generally must file your return within 3 years from the date the return was due (including extensions).

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What's New for 2007

Earned Income Credit (EIC)
You may be able to take the EIC if you earned less than $12,590 ($14,590 if married filing jointly). See the instructions for lines 8a and 8b that begin on page 10.

Mailing Your Return
You may be mailing your return to a different address this year because the IRS has changed the filing location for several areas. If you received an envelope with your tax package, please use it. Otherwise, see Where Do You File? on the back cover.

Telephone Excise Tax Credit
This credit was available only on your 2006 return. If you filed but did not request it on your 2006 return, file Form 1040X using a simplified procedure explained in its instructions to amend your 2006 return. If you were not required to file a 2006 return, see the 2006 Form 1040EZ-T.

What's New for 2008

Earned Income Credit (EIC)
You may be able to take the EIC if you earned less than $12,880 ($15,880 if married filing jointly).

The election to include nontaxable combat pay in earned income for the EIC is scheduled to expire and will not apply for 2008.

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What are your rights as a taxpayer?
You have the right to be treated fairly, professionally, promptly, and courteously by IRS employees. Our goal at the IRS is to protect your rights so that you will have the highest confidence in the integrity, efficiency, and fairness of our tax system. To ensure that you always receive such treatment, you should know about the many rights you have at each step of the tax process.

Innocent spouse relief.
Generally, both you and your spouse are each responsible for paying the full amount of tax, interest, and penalties on your joint return. However, you may qualify for relief from liability for tax on a joint return if (a) there is an understatement of tax because your spouse omitted income or claimed false deductions or credits, (b) you are divorced, separated, or no longer living with your spouse, or (c) given all the facts and circumstances, it would not be fair to hold you liable for the tax. To request relief, you generally must file Form 8857 no later than 2 years after the date on which the IRS first attempted to collect the tax from you. For more information, see Pub. 971 and Form 8857 or you can call the Innocent Spouse office toll-free at 1-866-897-4270.

Income tax withholding and estimated tax payments for 2008.
If the amount you owe or your refund is large, you may want to file a new Form W-4 with your employer to change the amount of income tax withheld from your 2008 pay. For details on how to complete Form W-4, see Pub. 919. If you receive certain government payments (such as unemployment compensation or social security benefits) you can have tax withheld from those payments by giving the payer Form W-4V. In general, you do not have to make estimated tax payments if you expect that your 2008 tax return will show a tax refund or a tax balance due of less than $1,000. See Pub. 505 for more details.

How long should you keep your tax return?
Keep a copy of your tax return, worksheets you used, and records of all items appearing on it (such as Forms W-2 and 1099) until the statute of limitations runs out for that return. Usually, this is 3 years from the date the return was due or filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. You should keep some records longer. See Pub. 552 for details.

How do you amend your tax return?
Use Form 1040X to change a return you already filed. Generally, Form 1040X must be filed within 3 years after the date the original return was filed or within 2 years after the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. But you may have more time to file Form 1040X if you live in a Presidentially declared disaster area or you are physically or mentally unable to manage your financial affairs. See Pub. 556 for details.

How do you make a gift to reduce debt held by the public?
If you wish to do so, make a check payable to “Bureau of the Public Debt.” You can send it to: Bureau of the Public Debt, Department G, P.O. Box 2188, Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188. Or you can enclose the check with your income tax return when you file.

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Introduction
IRS e-file takes the guesswork out of preparing your return. You may also be eligible to use Free File to file your federal income tax return. Visit www.irs.gov/efile for details.

Name and Address

Use the Peel-Off Label
Using your peel-off name and address label on the back of this booklet will speed the processing of your return. It also prevents common errors that can delay refunds or result in unnecessary notices. Put the label on your return after you have finished it. Cross out any incorrect information and print the correct information. Add any missing items, such as your apartment number.

Address Change
If the address on your peel-off label is not your current address, cross out your old address and print your new address. If you plan to move after filing your return, use Form 8822 to notify the IRS of your new address.

Name Change
If you changed your name because of marriage, divorce, etc., be sure to report the change to your local Social Security Administration office before you file your return. This prevents delays in processing your return and issuing refunds. It also safeguards your future social security benefits. See page 27 for details. If you received a peel-off label, cross out your former name and print your new name.

What if You Do Not Have a Label?
Print the information in the spaces provided. If you filed a joint return for 2006 and you are filing a joint return for 2007 with the same spouse, be sure to enter your names and SSNs in the same order as on your 2006 return.

P.O. Box
Enter your P.O. box number only if your post office does not deliver mail to your home.

Foreign Address
Print the information in the following order: City, province or state, and country. Follow the country's practice for entering the postal code. Do not abbreviate the country name.

Social Security Number (SSN)
An incorrect or missing SSN can increase your tax or reduce your refund. To apply for an SSN, fill in Form SS-5 and return it, along with the appropriate evidence documents, to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can get Form SS-5 online at www.socialsecurity.gov, from your local SSA office, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about 2 weeks to get an SSN once the SSA has all the evidence and information it needs.

Check that your SSN on your Forms W-2 and 1099 agrees with your social security card. If not, see page 27 for more details.

IRS individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) for aliens. If you are a nonresident or resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, you must apply for an ITIN. For details on how to do so, see Form W-7 and its instructions. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks to get an ITIN.

If you already have an ITIN, enter it wherever your SSN is requested on your tax return.

n ITIN is for tax use only. It does not entitle you to social security benefits or change your employment or immigration status under U.S. law.

Nonresident alien spouse. If your spouse is a nonresident alien, he or she must have either an SSN or an ITIN.

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