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Doing your taxes equals paperwork. There's no getting around it. You can, however, avoid having to do it twice by having the right forms in front of you the first time around.
How to choose the right tax forms will walk you through the varying versions of Form 1040 and some of the most commonly-used schedules and IRS publications.
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Introduction
- Half the battle of doing your tax return is being sure that you have the right forms in front of you. While everyone will use some version of the 1040, you may need to use several different schedules or forms if you want to file for an extension, itemize deductions or report supplemental income and losses. The following guide will walk you through some of the most commonly-used forms and help you determine which version of the 1040 you should be using.
Getting Started
- If you're having a pro or an online service like TurboTax prepare your return, you won't need to download any forms from the IRS or pick them up at the library. In fact, these services will automatically determine which forms you need to file. If you're going the paper and pencil route, however, you're on your own. Here's a rundown of the basic IRS forms to get you started:
Resources for How to Choose the Right Tax Forms
