| If you used a 1040EZ form last year and you received | | | | forms because they are meant for more complicated |
| another one in the mail this year because it was what | | | | tax situations. If you like the EZ form you can still use it |
| you used last year, you should know that you don't | | | | as long as you meet all of the criteria such as not |
| have to use this form again. If your situation has | | | | owing any household employment taxes on wages |
| changed, you may not be able to use this form any | | | | paid to a household employee. You also cannot be a |
| longer, especially if you have many different | | | | nonresident alien, or have received any advance |
| deductions that you will need to input. It's important to | | | | earned income credit payments. In addition you can |
| remember that form 1040EZ is for those that have a | | | | only have had wages, salaries, tips and other |
| very straight forward tax situation and generally there | | | | compensation that does not total $1,500. |
| is not a place for itemized deductions. You can deduct | | | | Using the 1040EZ form really is very simple and |
| more general things, but if you want to itemize you | | | | straight forward and that is why so many people really |
| should use the 1040A form that will allow you more | | | | like the form. When filling out the form you should do |
| space for the itemized deductions. | | | | the first draft in pencil and then trace over it in pen so |
| You can still use the 1040 EZ if you do not claim any | | | | that you are certain you have filled out everything |
| dependents and if you do not claim a deduction for | | | | correctly. As simple as the form is compared to other |
| educator expenses, the student loan interest deduction, | | | | tax forms, you can still make mistakes and it is a good |
| or the tuition feeds and deductions. You also cannot | | | | idea to go slowly and do things in pencil so you can |
| claim the education credit, retirement savings | | | | make changes if needed, when you correct your |
| contributions credit, or the health insurance credit. If you | | | | work. If you input all of your deductions and you still |
| will not be deducting these items you can still use the | | | | owe, be sure to make your check out to the "United |
| form, though many find it easier to simply use the 1040 | | | | States Treasury" to complete your taxes for the year. |