Before you start your taxes, make sure you have the right forms. There are hundreds of IRS tax forms to choose from, but don't worry. Most people use only about a dozen of them.
A basic rule to follow when deciding which federal 1040 to use is keep it simple. If you just have wage income to report, you might consider using the 1040 EZ. That short form only allows you to make standard deductions.
Many people file the short form when they actually have enough deductions and would be better off using a long form, so be aware of everything you can write off. Don't forget those commonly overlooked state and local income taxes on your W-2.
If you itemize your deductions, if you make more than $100,000 or if you were self-employed, you do not have a choice. You must use the a 1040 full form.
No matter what form or schedule you need, you can get them from the post office, library or go to irs.gov, where you can download them or fill them out online.
An increasing percentage of taxes are e- filed, and you get your refunds more quickly than mailing your returns.
