by Maxwell Payne

Created on: February 04, 2009

Tax time can be a stressful time of year for anyone making income living in the United States. One of the most common issues that arises when filing taxes is the confusion of who should use the 1040 form and who should use the 1040EZ form.

Figuring out which form to file for your taxes is pretty easy and the information below will determine which form you need to file for your taxes this year.

You should file a 1040 form if:
- Your income is more then $100,000 a year for the tax year you are filing for.
- If you want to itemize any and all deductions.

You should file a 1040A form if:
- Your income is less then $100,000 a year
- And you don't want or need to itemize any deductions.

You should file a 1040EZ form if:
- If you are single and make less then $100,000 a year.
- If you are married and intend on filing jointly.
- You have no dependents and no big deductions.

Basically if you make over $100,000 dollars a year, then you should use the 1040 form always. Otherwise which form you'll use will depend on if you have dependents, are filing single or jointly, or have any major deductions.

Since each person's income and financial situation varies, it is best to read all the details and instructions on each of the 3 available tax forms to determine which form is appropriate for your financial situation. Remember that your income and status may change from tax year to tax year, so be sure you always provide the most recent information.

Also depending on your individual situation you may have conditions that affect your tax responsibilities including health conditions, home ownership, extra income, number of children, martial status, business expenses, or business ownership. The basic overview above is given to help you quickly determine which form may be right for you to file with; reading all instructions and requirements on the form will determine the final decision you make.

Don't forget to have all your information available before filling out any forms. Be sure to have your W-9 forms and 1099 forms in addition to any other forms you might be required to have submitted to or sent from your employer.

You can learn more about the different tax forms, how to file your taxes, and detailed information on all current tax rules and regulations by speaking with a certified tax account or by visiting the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/

Take the stress out of tax time and start working on your taxes well before April.

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