Fill out 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) online
The 1040 is the standard federal income tax return form used by U.S. individuals to report their annual income to the IRS. Nearly every taxpayer files a 1040 each year to calculate their tax liability, claim deductions and credits, and determine whether they owe additional tax or are due a refund.
How to fill out 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
Enter your personal information
Fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse).
Report your income
Enter wages from W-2 forms on line 1. Add interest, dividends, capital gains, and other income sources in lines 2-8 to calculate total income.
Calculate adjustments to income
Claim above-the-line deductions such as educator expenses, student loan interest, IRA contributions, and self-employment tax deductions using Schedule 1.
Choose your deduction
Take the standard deduction for your filing status or itemize deductions on Schedule A. Enter the larger amount on line 13.
Calculate tax and credits
Determine your tax from the tax tables or Tax Computation Worksheet, then subtract credits (child tax credit, education credits, earned income credit) to find your total tax.
Report payments and sign
Enter federal income tax already withheld (from W-2s and 1099s) and any estimated tax payments. Calculate your refund or amount owed, then sign and date the return.
About 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
Who needs this form
All U.S. citizens and resident aliens whose gross income exceeds the filing threshold for their filing status and age. This includes wage earners, self-employed individuals, and anyone with investment income.
Where to submit
File electronically through IRS e-file or an authorized tax software provider. If filing by mail, send to the IRS address listed in the form instructions for your state.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Check the latest official form instructions for the filing year that applies to you.
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong filing status
- Forgetting to sign and date the return
- Not reporting all sources of income (W-2s, 1099s)
- Math errors when calculating deductions and credits
Frequently asked questions
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What is the difference between Form 1040 and 1040-SR?
Form 1040-SR is a version designed for taxpayers age 65 and older. It has larger print and a standard deduction chart built in, but both forms calculate tax the same way and can be used with the same schedules.
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