Federal 1040EZ Tax Form Instructions

The Internal Revenue Service Tax Form 1040EZ was designed to make tax returns as simple as possible. Unlike the more complicated forms which require itemizations and documentation for deductions, the 1040EZ form is for individuals or married couples filing jointly who claim no dependents and who have a taxable of less than $100,000.

• 1

  Fill out your name and address in the space located at the top of the 1040EZ form. If you have a label with the package, peel it off and place it in the area marked "Label Here."

• 2

  Write your Social Security number in the space located in the upper right corner of the form. You'll find it next to the label information. If you're married, you'll have to put your spouse's Social Security number beneath yours, regardless of whether you are filing jointly or filing separately. Then, check either "Yes" or "No" in the box about giving $3 to the Presidential Election Fund. There is no penalty or reward for either giving or not giving money, and it will not affect your tax return in any way.

• 3

  Enter your total wages, salaries and tips in the appropriate box. Your total wages (and your spouse's, as well) can be found on any W-2 forms that you were given. You must also include any money that you might have received while working as a household employee, even if you don't have a W-2. If you're adding income but don't have a W-2, put the code "HSH" next to the line where you put your total earnings.

• 4

  Put any taxable interest you received on Line 2, providing that it was less than $1,500. If it was more than $1500, you cannot file a 1040EZ. On Line 3, list any money that you received for unemployment compensation; if you are a resident of Alaska, you have to claim the annual payment you received from the state for your share of any oil sales.

• 5

  Add Lines 1, 2 and 3. This total is known as the adjusted gross income, and you will put it on Line 4. Proceed to Line 5 and fill out the worksheet if someone can claim you as a dependent. It is important to remember that they don't have to claim you, but simply that they can claim you. At this point, you can subtract Line 5 from Line 4, and that gives you the amount of money that can be taxed. Put this figure on Line 6.

• 6

  Place the amount from Box 2 on your W-2 on Line 7 of the 1040EZ. This is the tax that was taken from you throughout the year. If you are able to claim an earned income credit, enter that on Line 8. Add Lines 7 and 8 to see how much you've already paid the Internal Revenue Service. Put this figure on Line 9.

• 7

  Using the tax table in your 1040EZ booklet, locate your income range using the figure listed on Line 6. Place that amount on Line 10. If Line 9 is larger than Line 10, you will receive a refund for the difference, which will be entered on Line 11. If Line 10 is larger than Line 9, you will owe money. Subtract Line 9 from Line 10 and enter that number on Line 12. That is the amount of money that you will owe the Internal Revenue Service. If you want to designate someone else to answer questions about your return, write that person's name in the area marked "Third Party Designee."