- 1). Fill out the "Label" box. If you were mailed the 1040A tax form, you can just peel off the label on the package and stick it in this section. If the mailing address is incorrect on the label or you didn't receive the form in the mail, print in this information legibly. Print your first name, middle initial, last name, spouse name (if filing joint return), home address, city, state and zip code.
- 2). Check a box in the "Filing Status" section. The options are "Single," "Married filing jointly," Married filing separately," "Head of household" and "Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child." Choose "Single" if you aren't married and don't have any dependents. Choose "Married filing jointly" if you are married, and you and your spouse are filing together; even if only one of you has income. Choose "Married filing separately" if you and your spouse are filing separate returns. Choose "Head of household' if you are not married but have dependents. Choose "Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child" if you are filing with your recently deceased spouse's income and have a dependent child.
- 3). Calculate your exemptions in the "Exemptions" section. Give one exemption for yourself, and one for your spouse if you have one. Add an exemption for each of your dependents. Enter in the information (name, Social Security number, relationship to the dependent and whether he qualifies for a tax credit) in this section also. Total the number of exemptions on line 6d.
- 4). Fill in the "Income" section. This information is found on the W-2 supplied by your employer or the 1099 if you are self-employed. Any money you received from unemployment, pensions and annuities, IRA distributions, capital gain distributions and dividends are also recorded here. Add these amounts on line 15 to find your total income.
- 5). Calculate the adjusted gross income in lines 16 through 21. Add any educator expenses, IRA deductions, student loan interest, and tuition and fees deductions. Record this amount on line 20. Subtract line 20 from line 15 and record it on line 21. This is your "adjusted gross income."
- 6). Fill in the tax, credits and payments on lines 22 through 38. Record the amount from line 21 on line 22. Fill in the 23a and 23b sections if you and/or your spouse was born before the date listed on the form and/or is blind. Read the note in the left sidebar to calculate the standard deduction and record it on line 24. Subtract line 24 from 22 and record it on line 25; write "0" if the amount on line 24 is more than line 22. Multiply the number of exemptions listed on line 6d by the amount listed in the instructions on line 26. Subtract line 26 from 25 and record it on line 27; write "0" if the amount on line 26 is more than line 25. Refer to the accompanying forms as instructed on lines 28 through 34 to calculate the tax and tax credits for these lines. Add lines 29 through 34 and record it on line 35. Write in any advanced earned-income credit payments you received through the year (shown on the W-2 form) on line 37. Add lines 36 and 37 and record it on line 38; this is your total tax.
- 7). Write any tax withheld in lines 39 through 43. Write in the amount of federal tax withheld on your W-2 or 1099 form on line 39. Write any advanced tax payments made throughout the year on line 40. Write the amount of your Earned Income Credit (EIC) on line 41; you will have to see the Schedule EIC to calculate this amount. Write any additional child tax credit from Form 8812 on line 42. Add all of the lines from 39 to 42 and write it on line 43.
- 8). Calculate whether you will be receiving a refund or have taxes due. See if line 38 is less than line 43; if it is subtract line 38 from 43. This is the amount of your refund; write it on line 44. Write how much of the refund you want sent to you on line 45a. Enter your bank account information if you want it direct-deposited. If you want some or all of the refund applied to your estimated taxes for the next year, write the amount on line 46. If line 38 is more than 43, you owe taxes; write this amount on line 47.
- 9). Sign the form at the bottom, along with your spouse, if filing jointly. Write in the date, your occupation and daytime telephone number.
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