If you’re like
most people who have to file annual tax returns, there’s a dizzying array of
forms. Here are top Internal Revenue Service Tax Forms you might want to know
about, to make it easier for you.
Form 1040 - U.S.Individual Tax Return
This is
the basic IRS tax form most U.S. filers use for their annual tax
return. You might have to use this form depending on your age, filing status
and gross income. Even if you had no taxable income but are eligible for a tax
refund or credit, this might be the correct form for you.
Form 1099 - INT,Interest Income
You might
receive a Form 1099-INT from banks or other financial institutions if they paid
you a certain amount of interest on your deposits. In many cases, you’ll have
to pay tax on the interest the form lists and report it on your tax return.
Form 1099-MISC - Miscellaneous Income
Self-employed
people generally receive this form from each client that paid them throughout
the year. It reports the total earnings received, and you must report that income
on your tax return. As a freelancer or independent contractor, this form
replaces a Form W-2 you receive working for a traditional employer.
Form W-4 - Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate
You don’t
file Form W-4 with your annual tax return or send it to the IRS.
Instead, you give it to your employer to instruct them on how much tax to
withhold from your gross paycheck and remit to the taxing authorities. This
form includes a worksheet to help you calculate the amount. You file a new
W-4 if you change employers. You can also file a new Form W-4 with your current
employer if your circumstances change, for example, if you have a baby and want
to claim an additional dependent.
Form W-2 - Wage and Tax Statement
People often
confuse Form W-4 and Form W-2. Your employer gives you Form W-2 at
the end of the calendar year to show the total amount of tax they withheld from
your paychecks. Your employer
also provides a copy of the Form W-2 to the IRS, Social Security Administration
and some state taxing authorities. These taxing entities match up the amounts
you claim as income with the amounts your employer reports they paid you.
Because your employer sends this form to the IRS, you do not need to file it
with your tax return.
No matter which
forms you need to file, always make sure you use the correct tax year versions.
For example, during the 2019 tax season, file your tax forms for the 2018 tax
year.