The new uncluttered Form 1040

[Joe Btfsplk]

The IRS plans to add a new Schedule O to get a lot of lines off the Form 1040. This form will be for less-used credits and income deductions.

When they get to Schedule Z, they will have to start using the Greek alphabet or something--or maybe using Schedule AA thru Schedule ZZ for the next 26.

[Chief]

Improvements to Form 1040

That;s good news to me. Will necessitate professional preparers to have the handle on the changes. Best News I have heard !!!!!!

[Armando Beaujolais]

The IRS plans to add a new Schedule O to get a lot of lines off the Form 1040. This form will be for less-used credits and income deductions.

When they get to Schedule Z, they will have to start using the Greek alphabet or something--or maybe using Schedule AA thru Schedule ZZ for the next 26.

And how long do we think it will last?

Every last possible space on Form 1040 will be taken up with line items. If they take some off, they'll just add new ones. Mark my words.

[Snaggletooth]

Proof

I understand the new proof for the 1040 is out.

Can someone provide a website where I can view it?

Thanks, Ron J.

[Bees Knees]

The final 1040 has been out since the first week of November.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

[BOB W]

Looks like.......

........ the same cluttered mess as always?

[newbie]

Into the future

The idea of a new uncluttered Form 1040 is being examined for future years after 2007. I heard talk of this at a seminar and I guess I don't understand because I thought this was why we have the 1040EZ and 1040A, so why a simpler, easier to understand 1040 needed?

[DTS]

1040

I'm with Bob! However, I did not compare to the '05 to see what the changes are. It looks exactly the same.

Dennis

[Oxtrainer]

New 1040

Only 77 lines and a zillion schedules. How much simpler can it be?

[Black Bart]

Speaking of simple

I was just looking at a 2005 1040A (the "short form") book of forms and instructions. It's 82 pages long. They'll have to move all the forms up a notch pretty soon -- maybe make the 1040 into a 1040-J (jumbo).

[Bees Knees]

Why don't they just go to three pages? Is there some kind of rule that says the 1040 can only be two?

[Joe Btfsplk]

Why don't they just go to three pages? Is there some kind of rule that says the 1040 can only be two?

Why not cut it down to one page with just two lines?
Line 1 How much did you make?
Line 2 Send it in!

[Black Bart]

1/2 page?

Why don't they just go to three pages? Is there some kind of rule that says the 1040 can only be two?

Do any of my fellow graying colleagues here remember this? It seems like I remember when I first started in this business (late 60s-early 70s), that the 1040A form was on one-half of one page? Is that right?

[LawrenceGR]

Postcard

I remember when I was kid one of the first years I filed my own taxes the "short form" was about the size of a postcard. I seem to remember it as a computer punch card, one line for income and one line for withholding. That must have been about 1965 or 1966.

[Armando Beaujolais]

Do any of my fellow graying colleagues here remember this? It seems like I remember when I first started in this business (late 60s-early 70s), that the 1040A form was on one-half of one page? Is that right?

I think it was as recently as the early 70's, the income portion of 1040 was 1) Wages, 2) Other Income. They had itemized deductions right on the front page.

Any talk about "simplifying" the 1040 is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. They won't simplify a dang thing. Great, now the 1040 only has 20 lines on it, and they create 50 more forms and schedules and filing rules to compensate.

If it's really happening, it's just some yahoo's bright idea to screw things up even worse but at the same time be able to claim they've just succeeded in tax simplification.

Apologies to the yahoos out there, no offense intended.