Key Takeaways

The forms you need in order to prepare your tax returns should start arriving around February

Your income level and level of complexity will determine whether you file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ

You’ll also attach certain schedules if you have itemized deductions, capital gains or losses, or are self-employed

Let’s face it: The tax-filing process ranks up there along with the root canal as something most of us dread. But a little organization and planning can help make filing those tax forms a bit more palatable.

Want to save yourself a bit of grief when the next tax season rolls around? Keep an eye out for those bits of paper, and be ready to file what needs to be filed. Asking these questions can help:

What forms will I receive in the mail or from my employer?What state and federal tax forms will I submit?What forms and schedules will I need to include in my 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ?

What You May Receive

Around February, you should start receiving the tax forms you need to prepare and complete your federal and state tax returns (see figure 1). These forms should either come in the mail or be sent to you electronically, says Dean Hedeker, a veteran estate planning and tax attorney and owner and principal of Hedeker Wealth, LLC.

FIGURE 1: TAX FILING AND FORMS. Your tax return journey could involve any of the hundreds of available tax forms, but these are among the more common pathways. Source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications. For illustrative purposes only. TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice. We suggest you consult with a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.

What forms might you receive in the mail? If you’re a full-time employee, look for a W-2. Expect a 1099 if you’re an independent contractor, receive interest payments from investments, or had a refund from a state investment. If you’re involved in a partnership, you’ll typically receive a K-1. Own a house and have a mortgage? Watch for the 1098 form, which will list the interest paid.

If you’re saving for retirement in a 401(k) or 403(b), the amount you saved will show up on your W-2 and you won’t necessarily get a 401(k) or 403(b) tax form, Hedeker says. If you have an individual retirement account, whether a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or Roth IRA, you may receive a Form 5498 each year. However, you don’t need to worry about the tax forms for the first three types, because your IRA trustee or issuer is required to file them with the IRS by May 31.

What You’ll Fill Out

Many filers may approach the 2018 tax year differently because of changes in the tax code, Hedeker says. Yes, you’ll still need to fill out a 1040 federal tax form, but you’re less likely to need a Schedule A form. That’s because the standard deduction has doubled to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Schedule A forms are for itemized deductions—property tax, charitable donations, and such. But with deductions for state and local taxes and mortgage interest capped at $10,000, and with the higher standard deduction, fewer people will likely itemize.

Make taxes a little less taxing.

The key to filing taxes is being prepared. TD Ameritrade provides information and resources to help you navigate tax season.

“I see it in our practice,” says Hedeker. “We’re running the returns both ways just to see what they’re going to look like under the new law, and very few people will itemize.”

It’s possible more people will use the 1040EZ form, which is a one-page tax form for filers who can’t claim any credits or deductions and have a taxable income under $100,000. Form 1040A doesn’t allow itemizing, but you can claim certain tax credits and deduct student loan interest, IRA contributions, and a few other items. Like the 1040EZ, Form 1040A is only for people whose income is less than $100,000. Everyone else uses the standard 1040 form.

Those who have taxable interest and dividends of more than $1,500 will need to fill out a Schedule B. This is also where you list a foreign bank account, Hedeker says.

Small businesses and gig-economy people will still use Schedule C to list their profits, losses, and all expenses related to the business.

Schedule D is where you’ll list capital gains and losses from trading stocks, bonds, or other securities. This is where the information from your 1099s comes in handy. Remember, if you lost up to $3,000, you may be able to deduct that from your taxes.

Need a little more time to file? Then you’ll want to use Form 4868, which gets you an extension until October. But file it by the April 15 deadline so you’re not hit with fees for filing late. It’s also important to note that using Form 4868 may automatically file an extension with your state authorities—but not in all states, Hedeker says, so check to be sure.

An extension doesn’t buy you extra time to pay up if you owe money to the IRS, though. “You still need to estimate what you owe and send it,” Hedeker says.

TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice. We suggest you consult with a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.