Taxpayers and tax return preparers should be aware that the Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, changed again this year. Before you file a return, take a look at these filing-related resources and information to help you avoid errors and processing delays.

Revised 2019 Form 1040

Last year there were six new numbered schedule forms to go with Form 1040; for this year there are three. Follow the simplified “If you…then file” chart for what types of items are reported on each schedule.

• For Schedule A and the other lettered schedules, see Schedules for Form 1040.
• For more detailed information about what items get reported on the alphabetical schedules, you will need to go to the Schedules for Form 1040 or the Form 1040 Instruction booklet.
• The “What’s New” section of the Form 1040 Instructions provides a great starting point to see what else has changed this year.

New Form 1040-SR

Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors, is also new for 2019. You can use this form if you were born before January 2, 1955. The form generally mirrors Form 1040 but has larger text. Form 1040-SR uses the same schedules and instructions as Form 1040 does. For more information about Form 1040-SR, see the “About” page.

To see and order Form 1040, Form 1040-SR or other annual tax forms and schedules, visit the IRS Publications site. 

IRS Filing Season Opens January 27, 2020

The 2019 filing season officially started January 27, 2020. Qualifying taxpayers can get free help preparing and filing tax returns through IRS Free File online or free tax help from trained volunteers at community sites around the country.

Before you file that tax return though, please read our Tax Tip article: Wait to receive your W-2 form or other income statements to file your tax return, and some of our other Tax Tips too. 

Available IRS Help Resources

IRS tax help is available 24 hours a day on IRS.gov where people can find answers to tax questions and resolve many tax issues online. The Let Us Help You page answers many tax questions, and the IRS Services Guide (PDF) links to these and other IRS services. If you need to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, you must contact the office nearest you directly to make an appointment first.

Refund Timing

See TAS’s article or the IRS’s article, for important things to know about refunds.

The quickest way to get your refund is by choosing Direct Deposit.

The fastest and easiest way to track your refund is to use the Where’s My Refund? ‎tool on IRS.gov or download the IRS2Go app on your mobile device. You can also check the IRS’s What to Expect for Refunds web page for answers to frequently asked questions. The IRS When Will I Get My Refund? video provides details on what info you’ll need to check your refund status.

There are many types of issues, including the issuance of refunds, where the IRS itself can generally provide the service you need, without Taxpayer Advocate Service involvement.

Other Resources

IRS.gov

Taxpayer Advocate Service Get Help pages

Source: taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov