How to Do a 1040 EZ
If you need to file your federal income taxes, the easiest form to use is the appropriately named 1040EZ. The form is intended for single or joint filers that do not have dependents. The 1040EZ form can only be filed if taxable income is less than $100,000 and you are not claiming any adjustments to your income. Additionally, you are limited in the tax credits you can claim to just the earned income credit and the recovery rebate credit. But if you got any advance earned income credit payments, then you cannot use the 1040EZ.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
List your personal details. The top of the 1040EZ is where you need to put your name, address and Social Security number. You can get a 1040EZ in the mail with a peel-and-stick label that you can put in this area. If you do not have a label, do not forget to fill out this section.
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2
Fill out the income section. Use your W-2 to fill out the income section. Add up all of the wages, tips and salaries if you have multiple W-2s for Line 1. If you have any taxable interest, you will list that for Line 2. Line 3 is for unemployment compensation and Alaska permanent funds dividends. Add lines 1, 2 and 3 for Line 4, and that will be your adjusted gross income. Fill out Line 5 if someone else can claim you as a dependent and subtract Line 5 from Line 4 to get your taxable income to list on Line 6. This completes the income section.
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3
Fill out the payments and tax section. For Line 7, use your W-2s to get the total federal income tax you have had withheld. If you have multiple W-2s, add them all up. If you qualify for the earned income credit, you will list that amount on Line 8. You can use the instruction booklet for the 1040 EZ form to see if you qualify. Use page 2 of the 1040 EZ form to complete the worksheet for Line 9, which is the Recovery Rebate Credit. For Line 10, add up lines 7 through 9. For Line 11, you will also need to use the instruction booklet for the 1040 EZ form to locate your taxable amount based on what you have on Line 6.
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4
Complete the refund section. If your amount on Line 10 is greater than the amount on Line 11, then you are due a refund. Subtract Line 11 from Line 10 and put that amount on Line 12. This is your refund amount. If you want your refund sent as direct deposit, you will need to enter your banking information. If you do not enter any banking information and you are due a refund, then it will be mailed to the address you have put at the top of the form.
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5
Complete the "amount you owe" section. If Line 11 is larger than Line 10, then you owe the IRS money. Subtract Line 10 from Line 11 to get the amount you owe and list it on Line 13. You can find information on how to pay what you owe in the instruction booklet for the 1040 EZ form.
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6
Sign and attach W-2s. Sign and date the bottom of the form where it says "Sign here." Attach your W-2s and mail your 1040 EZ to the IRS using the envelope that came with the form if you received it by mail or to the address listed in the instruction booklet.
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