How to file your federal income tax return

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://script.crazyegg.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" crossorigin> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.usa.gov/es/declarar-impuestos-federales" data-type="altlang" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.usa.gov/file-taxes" data-type="conlang" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usa.gov/file-taxes" /> <title>How to file your federal income tax return | USAGov</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_cWvIyYm_hEXdU0Q-OERXd8rsp2c_Lk5-khQafVKascI.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/uswds_paragraph_components/modules/uswds_paragraph_components_cards/css/uswds-paragraph-components-cards.css?su2g6b" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_XsdM1RFrrJwny7LVCJfDc03dS406-Ln32sHBM23cQxg.css?delta=2&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_RS0lu12kxAKVlYtiIn6qpAq__BevSHCXAmcrTugppls.css?delta=3&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <script id="taxonomy-data"> dataLayer = [{ "nodeID": "447", "language": "en", "homepageTest": "not_homepage", "basicPagesubType": "Standard Page", "contentType": "basic_page", "Page_Type": "Content Page", "Taxonomy_Text_1": "Home", "Taxonomy_Text_2": "Taxes", "Taxonomy_Text_3": "Filing federal taxes", "Taxonomy_Text_4": "File your federal income tax return", "Taxonomy_Text_5": "File your federal income tax return", "Taxonomy_Text_6": "File your federal income tax return", "Taxonomy_URL_1": "/", "Taxonomy_URL_2": "/taxes", "Taxonomy_URL_3": "/file-federal-taxes", "Taxonomy_URL_4": "/file-taxes", "Taxonomy_URL_5": "/file-taxes", "Taxonomy_URL_6": "/file-taxes", "hasBenefitCategory": false }]; </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W8LW6DB');</script>  <meta name="description" content="Learn the basic steps to file your federal taxes and how to contact the IRS for help. Find out what documents you will need and how to pay if you owe money." />  <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/usagov/images/Favicon_USAGov.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/custom/usagov/images/Favicon_USAGov.png">  <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usa.gov/file-taxes" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:title" content="How to file your federal income tax return | USAGov" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn the basic steps to file your federal taxes and how to contact the IRS for help. Find out what documents you will need and how to pay if you owe money." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" /> <meta property="og:image:secure_url" content="https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" /> <meta name="referrer" content="no-referrer-when-downgrade" />  <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "url": "https://usa.gov/", "logo": "https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Steps to file your federal tax return", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<ol><li><p>You will need the forms and receipts that show the money you earned and the tax-deductible expenses you paid. These include:</p><ul><li>A <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2\">W-2 form</a> from each employer</li><li>Other earning and interest statements (<a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-misc\">1099</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-int\">1099-INT</a> forms)</li><li>Receipts for charitable donations; mortgage interest; state and local taxes; medical and business costs; and other tax-deductible expenses if you are itemizing your return</li></ul></li><li><p><a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status\">Choose your filing status.</a> Filing status is based on whether you are married. The percentage you pay toward household expenses also affects your filing status.</p> </li><li><p>Decide how you want to file your taxes.聽</p><ul><li>The IRS recommends using <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options\">tax preparation software to e-file</a> for the easiest and most accurate returns and fastest refunds.</li><li>You may be able to file free online through <a href=\"https://directfile.irs.gov/\">IRS Direct File</a> if you are in one of 25 participating states and have a simple tax return.聽</li><li>If you <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/how-to-file\">file by mail</a>, it can take four weeks or more for the IRS to process your return.</li></ul></li><li><p>Determine if you are taking the <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc501\">standard deduction or itemizing your return</a>.</p> </li><li><p>If you owe money, <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/payments\">learn how to make a tax payment online</a>, including applying for a payment plan. Or find out <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order\">how to pay taxes by check or money order</a> and where to send it.</p> </li><li><p>Submit your return by the filing deadline.</p> </li></ol><p><a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/refunds\">Check the status of your tax refund</a>.</p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Contact the IRS for help filing your tax return", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Before contacting the IRS with questions about your return, know that:</p><ul><li>For the fastest information, the IRS recommends <a href=\"https://www.irs.gov/\">finding answers to your questions online</a></li><li>If you cannot find the answer to your question using the IRS website, find out <a href=\"/contact-irs\">how to call聽the IRS or visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center office in person</a></li><li>The IRS does not accept tax-related questions by email</li></ul>" } } ] } </script> </head> <body>  <noscript><iframe title="GTM" sandbox src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W8LW6DB" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <a href="#skip-to-h1" class="usa-skipnav usa-sr-only focusable"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <header class="usa-header usa-header--extended" id="header"> <div class="usa-banner-inner"> <div> <section class="usa-banner" aria-label="An official website of the United States government" id="usagov-banner"> <div class="usa-accordion"> <div class="usa-banner__header" role="banner"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/themes/custom/usagov/images/favicon-57.png" alt="U.S Flag" /> </div> <div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto"> <p class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </p> <p class="usa-banner__header-action usa-banner__header-action-mobile">Here's how you know</p> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" class="usa-banner_expand_arrow usa-banner__header-action"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M16.59 8.59L12 13.17 7.41 8.59 6 10l6 6 6-6z"/> </svg> </div> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default"> <span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here's how you know</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" class="usa-banner_expand_arrow usa-banner__button-text"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M16.59 8.59L12 13.17 7.41 8.59 6 10l6 6 6-6z"/> </svg> </button> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/usagov/assets/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br /> A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/usagov/assets/img/icon-https.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br /> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false"> <title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /> </svg> </span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you鈥檝e safely connected to the .gov website. 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file your federal taxes and how to contact the IRS if you need help. </p> </div> <div class="usa-prose body-copy"><h2><strong>Steps to file your federal tax return</strong></h2><div data-embed-button="paragraphs" data-entity-label="USWDS Components" data-paragraph-id="5030871e-2b32-48e8-b141-f3c1a9fab0dc" data-paragraph-revision-id="1282" data-langcode="en" data-view-mode="embed" data-entity-embed-display="entity_reference_revisions:entity_reference_revisions_entity_view" data-entity-type="embedded_paragraphs" data-entity-uuid="5030871e-2b32-48e8-b141-f3c1a9fab0dc" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity"> <div class="field field--name-paragraph field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--uswds-process-list paragraph--view-mode--embed paragraph--id--876"> <ol class="usa-process-list"> <li class="usa-process-list__item"> <p>You will need the forms and receipts that show the money you earned and the tax-deductible expenses you paid. These include:</p><ul><li>A <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2">W-2 form</a> from each employer</li><li>Other earning and interest statements (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-misc">1099</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-int">1099-INT</a> forms)</li><li>Receipts for charitable donations; mortgage interest; state and local taxes; medical and business costs; and other tax-deductible expenses if you are itemizing your return</li></ul> </li> <li class="usa-process-list__item"> <p><a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/what-is-my-filing-status">Choose your filing status.</a> Filing status is based on whether you are married. The percentage you pay toward household expenses also affects your filing status.</p> </li> <li class="usa-process-list__item"> <p>Decide how you want to file your taxes. </p><ul><li>The IRS recommends using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">tax preparation software to e-file</a> for the easiest and most accurate returns and fastest refunds.</li><li>You may be able to file free online through <a href="https://directfile.irs.gov/">IRS Direct File</a> if you are in one of 25 participating states and have a simple tax return. </li><li>If you <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/how-to-file">file by mail</a>, it can take four weeks or more for the IRS to process your return.</li></ul> </li> <li class="usa-process-list__item"> <p>Determine if you are taking the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc501">standard deduction or itemizing your return</a>.</p> </li> <li class="usa-process-list__item"> <p>If you owe money, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">learn how to make a tax payment online</a>, including applying for a payment plan. 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