IRS Form 1040, officially titled “U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,” is the primary document used by taxpayers in the United States to file their annual federal income tax returns. The form collects comprehensive information about a taxpayer’s income sources, deductions, credits, and tax payments for the tax year, enabling the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine the correct tax liability or refund amount.
Purpose and Usage
Form 1040 serves as the foundational federal income tax return form for individuals. It reports various types of income including wages, self-employment earnings, interest, dividends, capital gains, retirement income, and other taxable income. Taxpayers also use this form to claim adjustments, standard or itemized deductions, tax credits, and to calculate the total tax owed or the refund due.
Structure of the Form
The 2025 Form 1040 includes sections for personal information, filing status (such as single, married filing jointly, or head of household), exemptions, income details, adjustments to income, tax computation, credits, other taxes, payments, and refund or amount owed.
There are schedules available to attach for various purposes, such as:
- Schedule 1 for additional income and adjustments
- Schedule 2 for additional taxes
- Schedule 3 for nonrefundable credits and other payments
These help taxpayers provide detailed information to support entries on Form 1040.
Filing Requirements and Deadlines
Most individual U.S. taxpayers whose income exceeds certain thresholds must file Form 1040 annually. The IRS sets income thresholds based on age, filing status, and type of income. For 2025, the standard deadline for filing Form 1040 is April 15, 2025, unless extensions are granted.
Common Attachments
Some taxpayers might also need to attach related forms, such as:
- W-2 forms reporting wages
- 1099 forms for various income types
- Schedule C for business income
- Schedule SE for self-employment tax
Tips for Using Form 1040
- Ensure accuracy in reporting incomes and deductions to avoid IRS penalties.
- Consider using tax preparation software or professional services for complex tax situations.
- Keep records of all supporting documents such as receipts and forms.
For more detailed guidance on filing and related forms, you can visit the official IRS website page for Form 1040 IRS Form 1040.
For further reading on tax deductions to reduce taxable income, visit our glossary page on Tax Deduction.