1040 Format...When?

[Snaggletooth]

Can imagine the IRS is going nuts trying to format the line items on the 2025 form 1040. Wish they had never gone to Sch 1,2,3. etc. and simply reverted to the 2-page continuous style.

Does anyone know when the new format will be released? Should not be easy for the IRS this year.

[Rapid Robert]

Ever since the "postcard 1040" was promoted by the same people now in charge, my software has included as output a "tax reconciliation" report which is a 2-page 1040 in the previous style, with no references to Schedules 1-3. I don't use it, but it is there. I wonder if they will continue it for TY2025.

I do think the Schedules were a big improvement over writing free-form text on dotted lines on the 1040, there is now room for many more specific items which in the long run I think helps the taxpayer avoid CP2000 letters. And of course as long as you don't need to print it out, it doesn't really matter how many pages are involved -- you can still get a summary report on one page.

[TaxGuyBill]

I agree with Robert; I like the Schedules.

As for this year's 1040, it isn't that big of a change. Maybe just three more line items or a sub-schedule to combine things on to line 13. The Draft W-2 for 2026 references a Schedule "1-A" for some of the new items, so that may be combing some things for line 13-ish of the 1040.

[rbynaker]

Looks like a draft was posted yesterday:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040--dft.pdf

AGI is back to the bottom of page 1 again. I haven't gone line-by-line on the other stuff yet.

Rick

[TaxGuyBill]

I haven't gone line-by-line on the other stuff yet.

Some of the other stuff is interesting. I think that extra information about dependents is particularly interesting ... the IRS seems to want some additional information to check if the child actually is a dependent and/or if they qualify for EIC.

[FEDUKE404]

That new Schedule 1-A is a real doozy!
Maybe good for some new business?

[rbynaker]

Some of the other stuff is interesting. I think that extra information about dependents is particularly interesting ... the IRS seems to want some additional information to check if the child actually is a dependent and/or if they qualify for EIC.

The problem is that the IRS barely uses the data they already have to chase this stuff down. Having more data maybe lets it be more computer automated but then there's still no one available to process the taxpayer responses after the computer sends the love letter. At best it might be used as a statistic they can present to Congress.

I'm happy we get to use the same MAGI for everything on Sch 1-A.

Rick

[TaxGuyBill]

Having more data maybe lets it be more computer automated but then there's still no one available to process the taxpayer responses after the computer sends the love letter.

I guess the IRS computers will just send out more love letters and deny credits with no solution if they are wrong. Sigh.

I didn't realize it until just now, but I see that Schedule 1-A is also posted.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040s1a--dft.pdf

Bill