What's the difference between IRS forms 1040 and 1040-A?

Question

I used 1040 to file my return, but someone told me I could have used 1040-A (no income other than wages, standard deduction only, married)... is this correct? Does it matter (other than 1040-A being shorter and easier to fill up?)?

Answer 1

The 1040-A is the "Reader's Digest" version of the 1040.  Everything that is on the 1040-A is also on the 1040, but not the other way around.  The 1040-EZ scales back even more.  Everything that is on 1040-EZ is on the 1040-A and the 1040 and not the other way around.

History lesson time.  It was in the mid 1970's the IRS introduced the short form tax return.  It was really a short form being a 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of paper-front and back needed to be filled out.  (A standard piece of paper cut in half).  That was called a 1040-A.  Now, if you use that form and add all sorts of schedules that are reportable on the 1040-A, you would end up with about 20 sheets of paper.  I have prepared and generated more schedules on a 1040-A than a 1040 form.  The 1040-EZ was introduced in the late 1980's to make things simpler for those with minimum activity in income.  So much for an easier system and paper reduction.

You having submitted a 1040 is acceptable.  If you can file a 1040-A and 1040-EZ - go ahead.  Just less lines to read through and certainly less confusing.  

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

the 1040-A has some restrictions. its only for people who can qualify to use it.

the 1040 is for everyone, even for people who could have used the 1040-A

Answer 3

No, it doesn't matter. Anyone can use 1040, but not everyone can use 1040A or 1040EZ

Answer 4

If you didn't itemize, and didn't have any self-employment income, and met a few other criteria, then you could have used a 1040A.  But your tax will come out the same, there are just more lines on the form and they'll be blank.