what is the difference between a 1040, a 1040a, and a 1040EZ?

Answer 1

Length of the form.

1040 is the standard or 'long form'.
1040A is a condensed version, with less lines and by people not itemizing or having other schedules attached.
1040EZ is the simplest of forms. Usually someone with just a W2 and other very limited activity can file this. You have to file single or married claiming no other dependants.

Go to www.irs.gov, pull up the forms and take a look.

Answer 2

Everyone is allowed to use a 1040, but there are restrictions on who can use the others. For example, you can't claim any dependents on a 1040EZ, and you can't itemize unless you use a 1040. Some types of income, and some credits, can only be reported on a 1040.

For an explanation with more details, see IRS Publication 17, Chapter 1, section on "Which Form Should I Use". You can download it at irs.gov

Answer 3

Once upon a time there was one form, the 1040. In 1954, the Eisenhower signed the current tax code into law, and it's been downhill ever since. The 1040 mushroomed into a monstrosity, there was a Schedule A, B, C, D, E, F, G (anyone remember income averaging,) SE, and a host of forms for depreciation, the sale of business assets, a form for underpayment penalties, child care, and a slug of others, any of which meant that you filed the "long form." If you had a limited amount of interest or dividends and wages, you could qualify for the short form - 1040A. After 30 years of various administrations and "simplification," the 1040 became even more comprehensive and it was decided to try to shift some of the complexity to the "short form," and to create a new form called the "EZ," guess why. If you only have wages and withholding you get to file basically, the same form that was created in 1913.

Answer 4

A 1040EZ is the simplest tax form. Usually used for the most basic tax return. W-2s,, no extra schedules or tax credits.
A 1040A is the next form. Pobably used by 50% of tax filers. Average return lines for tax credits, different schedules like Sch A .

A 1040 is the most complex. Can be used for the most complex persoanl tax return. Can be used for all Schedules, Foreign Tax Credits, NOL carryovers. Nasty stuff that 98% if the taxpaying public will never run into.

Answer 5

1040EZ - short version for individuals w/no dependents and no itemized deductions 1040A - short form for limited income sources and standard deduction 1040 - long form for deductions, EITC, child tax credit 1040ES - worksheet to calculate estimated business tax payments See resources below for more information. Hope this helps!