Guess the first time they tried this, they did not succeed and it did not go so well so they are trying again. Last year a postcard- this year…
The IRS revealed that the 1040 will have several changes for the coming tax season. First, the 1040 is being enlarged to allow more information to be entered vs. being entered on a supporting schedule. The 1040 will be approximately 25% larger. Also, three of the six schedules have been eliminated by combining certain items or moving them back to the 1040.
The first page of the 1040 will now have space for the taxpayer to enter a foreign address, as opposed to it being located on Schedule 6. Certain income items have been relocated to the first page of the 1040, including a line to report Capital gain or (loss). The signature lines for the Primary Filer, Spouse and Paid Preparer are now located at the bottom of the second page of the 1040. Also, Third Party Designee information has been added back to the second page of the 1040.
The layout of the new 1040 and the three remaining schedules are different than last year’s forms. The Standard Deduction section has been expanded, making it easier to identify when a taxpayer is eligible for the additional standard deduction due age or blindness. There is now a spot the taxpayers E‐mail address and phone number in the signature section. The remaining schedules have appropriately been re‐numbered, beginning with 1. Previously, the numbering was confusing and despite their intent, was of little help.
(Schedule 1) ‐ Additional Income and Adjustments to Income have been renumbered but basically remains the same. The only real difference is, alimony now requires the taxpayer to enter the date of the divorce.
(Schedule 2) Is now Additional Taxes. It combines last year’s Schedule 2 – Tax and Schedule 4 – Other Taxes into a single schedule.
(Schedule 3) Is now called Additional Credits and Payments. Schedule 3 now combines— Nonrefundable Credits and Schedule 5—Other Payments and Refundable Credits.
The latest version of the re‐designed Form 1040 and Schedules 1‐3 are posted in the draft forms section on IRS.gov.
