- 1). Obtain a copy of Form 1040 and the Form 1040 Instructions. Review the instructions to get an idea of what is required on Form 1040 and what each line on the form is asking for.
- 2). Enter your personal information in the first section of Form 1040, including your spouse's information if you are married and filing a joint return. Choose your filing status and enter the information for any dependents you may have.
- 3). Enter your income in the income section. Income includes any wages, salaries, unemployment wages, taxable interest, business income or loss, dividends and social security benefits. Any income information listed in the income section that you qualify for must be listed in this section. Consult your tax forms from the tax year, such as W2s and 1099s, for this information.
- 4). Enter any adjusted gross income in the following section. Adjusted gross income is any expense, such as educator expenses or tuition and fees that you paid during the year that can be subtracted from your total income to lower your taxable income.
- 5). Fill out any tax and credit information you have in the following section. Enter the amount of your standard deduction, which is located to the left of this section. If you are itemizing deductions and have filed a Schedule A, you will need to enter the information from Schedule A into this section as well as any credits, including child and education credits.
- 6). Report other taxes following your tax and credit section. Other taxes can include self-employment tax if you filed a Schedule C and unreported Social Security taxes.
- 7). Report any tax payments made by you throughout the tax year in the next section. Include any federal withholdings from your W2s and 1099s along with any credits, such as the earned income credit or estimated taxes that you have paid.
- 8). Calculate your refund or the taxes that you owe, and sign and date Form 1040. Mail Form 1040 to the Internal Revenue Service subsidiary office location found in the instructions for the taxpayers in your state.
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