The Form 1040 is the main tax return form the IRS uses to collect income information from you

The Form 1040 is the document you file with the Internal Revenue Service each year to report your income, claim deductions, and calculate how much federal income tax you owe or how much the government owes you. It is the standard form for individual taxpayers — whether you are self-employed, work for an employer, or have investment income, your tax information goes on a 1040 or one of its variations.

The IRS uses the information you provide on the 1040 to verify that you paid the right amount of tax throughout the year. If your employer withheld too much from your paychecks, you get a refund. If you did not pay enough, you owe the difference. The form itself is just the vehicle — it collects your name, address, filing status, income totals, and the deductions or credits you are may have access to to claim.

You file the 1040 once per year, usually by April 15, though you can request an extension. The form has changed shape over the years, and the IRS offers a few versions depending on your situation, but they all serve the same purpose: telling the government how much money you made and how much tax you should pay on it.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 1040 is the main individual income tax return you file with the IRS each year to report all your income sources.
  • The form asks for your income, filing status, dependents, deductions, and tax credits to calculate what you owe or what refund you should receive.
  • You must file a 1040 if your income exceeds the IRS threshold for your age and filing status, even if no tax is owed.
  • The IRS offers three versions of the 1040 — the regular 1040, the 1040-SR for people 65 and older, and the 1040-NR for nonresidents — so you file the one that matches your situation.
  • Filing by April 15 is standard, but you can request a six-month extension if you need more time to gather documents or prepare your return.

What information goes on the 1040

The 1040 asks you to list every source of income you received during the year. This includes wages from an employer (reported on a W-2 form), self-employment income, interest and dividends, rental income, retirement distributions, and any other money that counts as taxable income. You also report your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow or widower — because this affects your tax rate and standard deduction.

Below the income section, you claim deductions and credits. A deduction reduces the amount of income that is subject to tax. A credit directly reduces the tax you owe, dollar for dollar. Common deductions include the standard deduction (a flat amount based on your filing status), mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable donations. Common credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and education credits. The 1040 walks you through which ones you can claim based on your situation.

You also report dependents — children or other relatives you support — because each dependent reduces your taxable income. The form asks for their names, Social Security numbers, and relationship to you. At the end, the 1040 calculates your total tax liability and compares it to the amount your employer already withheld or that you paid in estimated taxes during the year.

The three versions of Form 1040 and which one you use

The IRS offers three versions of the 1040 to match different taxpayer situations. The regular Form 1040 is for most U.S. citizens and residents with income from wages, self-employment, investments, or other domestic sources. This is the version most people file.

The Form 1040-SR is designed for people age 65 and older. It has the same basic structure as the regular 1040 but uses larger print and is organized slightly differently to make it easier to read. You can use the regular 1040 if you prefer, but the 1040-SR is available if you want the larger format.

The Form 1040-NR is for nonresident aliens — people who are not U.S. citizens and do not meet the IRS definition of a resident for tax purposes. This form has different rules for what income is taxable and which deductions you can claim. If you are a nonresident, you must use the 1040-NR instead of the regular 1040.

You do not choose which form to file based on preference. Your situation determines it. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien under age 65, you file the regular 1040. If you are 65 or older, you can choose between the 1040 and 1040-SR. If you are a nonresident alien, you file the 1040-NR. The IRS website and most tax software will guide you to the correct form based on the information you enter.

Who has to file a 1040

You must file a 1040 if your income exceeds a certain threshold set by the IRS each year. The threshold depends on your age, filing status, and type of income. For example, in 2023, a single person under 65 had to file if their gross income was at least $13,850. A married couple filing jointly with both spouses under 65 had to file if their combined income was at least $27,700. These numbers change each year, and they are higher if you are 65 or older.

Even if your income is below the threshold, you may want to file anyway. If your employer withheld taxes from your paychecks, filing a 1040 is how you get that money back as a refund. If you are may have access to to refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, filing is the only way to claim them. Many people file even when they are not required to because they will receive money back.

Self-employed people have a lower income threshold. If your net self-employment income is at least $400, you must file a 1040 and also file Schedule SE to calculate your self-employment tax. This applies even if your total income is below the regular threshold.

How to obtain and file your 1040

You can get a blank Form 1040 from the IRS website at irs.gov, or you can request one by mail. Most people do not print and fill out the form by hand anymore. Instead, they use tax preparation software — programs like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct — that walk you through questions and automatically fill in the 1040 for you. Many of these programs are free if your income is below a certain level.

You can also hire a tax professional — a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer — to prepare and file your 1040 for you. They charge a fee, but they can handle complex situations like self-employment income, rental properties, or investment gains. If you choose this route, the professional files the form electronically on your behalf.

Once your 1040 is complete, you file it electronically or by mail. Electronic filing is faster and more find — the IRS processes e-filed returns in about two weeks, whereas paper returns can take several months. If you file electronically and are owed a refund, you can have it deposited directly into your bank account, which is the fastest way to receive it.

What happens after you file your 1040

After you file, the IRS processes your return and compares the information you reported to what employers and financial institutions reported to them. If everything matches, you receive your refund or your bill within a few weeks. If there is a discrepancy, the IRS will contact you to clarify.

The IRS keeps your filed 1040 on record for at least three years, and longer if you claim certain deductions or if the agency suspects an issue. You should keep a copy of your filed return and all supporting documents — W-2s, receipts, bank statements — for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions later.

If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, a refund typically arrives within 21 days. If you file by mail or request a paper check, it takes longer. You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates once per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a 1040 if I did not earn any income?

No, you do not have to file if your income is below the IRS threshold for your age and filing status. However, if you had taxes withheld from paychecks or made estimated tax payments, filing a 1040 is the only way to get that money back as a refund.

Can I file a 1040 on paper, or do I have to file electronically?

You can file on paper by mailing a printed 1040 to the IRS address listed in the form instructions. However, electronic filing is faster, more find, and the IRS processes it in about two weeks instead of several months. Most people file electronically using tax software or a tax professional.

What is the difference between the 1040 and the 1040-EZ?

The IRS discontinued the 1040-EZ form after 2017. All taxpayers now file either the regular 1040, the 1040-SR (for age 65+), or the 1040-NR (for nonresidents). The regular 1040 is simpler than it used to be and works for most situations.

What if I made a mistake on my 1040 after I filed it?

You can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original due date to file an amended return and claim a refund, or seven years if you are reporting additional income you owe tax on. File the 1040-X by mail; you cannot amend electronically.

Do I need to file a 1040 if I am a student with only part-time job income?

It depends on how much you earned. If your income is below the threshold for your filing status, you do not have to file. However, if your employer withheld taxes, filing a 1040 will get you a refund. Most students file because they will receive money back.