Filing An Income Tax Return

When the month of April rolls around most of America
is preparing their income tax returns. Each year allWhen a taxpayer reports their income earned to their
individuals who made an income are required to reportstate government they will also have to fill out a state
that income to federal and state governments by filingtax return form. Each state has their own income tax
an income tax return.return forms. The form numbers will all be different
Taxpayers must file two separate income tax returns.because they vary from state to state; however,
One income tax return goes to the federalsome forms will have the same heading. It is not
government and the other goes to the stateuncommon for a state income tax form to be known
government that a particular taxpayer resides in. Theas the Resident Income Tax Return. As with federal
majority of taxpaying Americans are able to fill out aincome tax returns, the majority of states have a long
Form 1040A: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.income tax return form and a short one. Taxpayers
Individuals that do not have any children or otherwho are able to fill out and file a short state income
qualifying dependents are able to file a federal 1040EZtax return are encouraged to do so because it saves
form. This form is also referred to as the Income Taxmany taxpayers a large amount of tax preparation
Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents.time. As with most federal income tax forms, state tax
The 1040EZ is basically a shorter version of the 1040Areturn individuals are likely to have a packet of state
form; however, taxpayers must meet certainincome tax forms mailed directly to their home. It is
requirements before filing a 1040EZ form.also possible for taxpayers to find their state tax
The majority of taxpayers will have the federalforms at their local post office, financial institution, or
income tax forms they need mailed to their home. Thelibrary.
option to have federal income tax forms mailed to aIn addition to the traditional taxpaying individual, there
taxpayer is given on the previous year's tax forms.are others who have to report and possibly pay an
Taxpayers who do not wish to receive federal incomeincome tax. All businesses and estate properties of an
tax forms but do need them can get the forms from aindividual who has passed on are subject to an income
number of sources. Many paper forms are availabletax. A small business owner or the executor of an
for pickup at many local post offices, banks, andestate property will have to file different federal and
libraries. Taxpayers can also visit the website of thestate income tax forms than the traditional taxpayer.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is found at TheThese forms can be obtained at the same places
Internal Revenue Service has a collection of federalwhere standard federal and state forms are available.
income tax forms that can be downloaded and printed.