Federal tax forms
What each IRS form is for, who files it, when it is due and what the penalties are for filing late.
33 guides in this topic
- Pro forma Form 1120 for a foreign-owned LLC4 minute readHow to prepare the pro forma Form 1120 that carries Form 5472: which items to fill in, what to write at the top, and how to send it.
- Form 1040-ES: paying estimated tax3 minute readWhat Form 1040-ES contains, how to work through its estimated tax worksheet, when to use the payment vouchers, and the online ways to pay instead.
- Form W-9: when to ask for it and how to fill it in3 minute readWhat Form W-9 is for, when a business should ask for one, how to fill in each line including for single-member LLCs, and what foreign persons give instead.
- Form 1099-NEC: who files and who receives it3 minute readWho must file Form 1099-NEC, the $2,000 threshold for 2026 payments, which payments are excluded, each box, and the February 1, 2027 deadline.
- Form 1099-K: what it shows and how to report it3 minute readWhat Form 1099-K reports, the $20,000 and 200-transaction threshold, why it rarely matches your profit, and how to report it on your return.
- Form 1040-NR: the US return for non-residents3 minute readWho files Form 1040-NR, its April and June due dates, how business and passive income are reported, the schedules, and what non-residents can deduct.
- Form 1065: the partnership return3 minute readWhat Form 1065 is, which LLCs file it, the March 15 due date, its main schedules, the K-1 for each partner, and the per-partner late filing penalty.
- Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) explained3 minute readWhat a partnership Schedule K-1 shows, the key boxes, where each goes on your return, and why you owe tax on profit you did not take out.
- Form 1120: the C corporation return3 minute readWho files Form 1120, the April 15 due date, how the 21% tax is worked out, the main schedules, estimated tax, and rules for foreign-owned companies.
- Form 1120-S: the S corporation return3 minute readWho files Form 1120-S, the March 15 due date, how income passes to shareholders on K-1s, owner salary, basis and the per-shareholder late penalty.
- Form 2553: electing S corporation status3 minute readHow to complete and file Form 2553: eligibility, the 2 months and 15 days deadline, shareholder consents, confirming acceptance, and late relief.
- Schedule C (Form 1040): reporting business income3 minute readWho files Schedule C, how it runs from gross receipts to net profit, the expense lines, cost of goods sold, home office and vehicle sections, and more.
- Form 7004: extending a business return3 minute readHow Form 7004 gives a business an automatic six-month extension: the returns it covers, the form codes, when to file it, and why payment is not extended.
- Form 4868: extending an individual return2 minute readHow Form 4868 gives individuals six more months to file, including sole proprietors and non-residents, the ways to file it, and why tax is still due on time.
- Form W-8BEN: how to fill it in3 minute readHow to complete Form W-8BEN line by line: name, citizenship, addresses, tax numbers, date of birth, treaty claims in Part II, signature, and how long it lasts.
- Form 8832: choosing how your entity is taxed3 minute readForm 8832 explained: default classifications, electing corporate or disregarded status, effective dates, the 60-month rule, and late election relief.
- Schedule SE: calculating self-employment tax2 minute readHow Schedule SE calculates self-employment tax for 2026: the 92.35% rule, 12.4% Social Security up to $184,500, 2.9% Medicare and the deduction.
- Form W-8BEN-E: how to fill it in for a foreign company3 minute readHow a foreign company fills in Form W-8BEN-E: who uses it, chapter 3 and FATCA status, active and passive NFFEs, treaty claims and validity.
- Form 1099-MISC: what still goes on it2 minute readWhat goes on Form 1099-MISC now that contractor pay is on 1099-NEC: rents, royalties, prizes, other income, the 2026 thresholds and deadlines.
- Form 1096: the cover sheet for paper 1099s2 minute readWhat Form 1096 is, when you need it for paper 1099s, one per form type, the official scannable version, deadlines, and why most filers e-file.
- Forms 1042 and 1042-S: reporting payments to foreign persons3 minute readHow Forms 1042 and 1042-S report US-source payments to foreign persons: who files, which payments, income and exemption codes, deadlines, deposits and e-filing.
- Form 941: the quarterly payroll return3 minute readHow Form 941 works: quarterly due dates, what it reports, deposit schedules and Schedule B, reconciling to W-2s, Form 944, and late penalties.
- Form 940: federal unemployment tax2 minute readForm 940 explained: who files, the 6.0% FUTA rate on the first $7,000, the 5.4% state credit, credit reduction states, deposits and the deadline.
- Forms W-2 and W-3: year-end wage reporting3 minute readHow employers prepare and file Forms W-2 and W-3: the January 31 deadline, key boxes, S corp owner health insurance, 2026 changes and corrections.
- Form 8829: the home office form2 minute readHow Form 8829 calculates the home office deduction under the regular method: business percentage, direct and indirect costs, depreciation and limits.
- Form 4562: depreciation and Section 1793 minute readHow Form 4562 works: when it is required, the 2026 Section 179 limit of $2,560,000, 100% bonus depreciation, MACRS lives, vehicles and amortization.
- Form 1040-X: amending an individual return3 minute readHow to amend a Form 1040 with Form 1040-X: when to amend, the three-year refund window, e-filing, explaining changes, processing and non-residents.
- Form 8995: the qualified business income deduction3 minute readHow Form 8995 claims the 20% qualified business income deduction: 8995 or 8995-A, the 2026 thresholds, the new $400 minimum and the income cap.
- Form 1120-F: the return for a foreign corporation3 minute readWho files Form 1120-F, the US return for foreign corporations: effectively connected income, due dates, protective filings, branch profits tax.
- FBAR vs Form 8938: reporting foreign bank accounts3 minute readFBAR vs Form 8938: who files each, the $10,000 FBAR test, Form 8938 thresholds for residents and expats, where each is filed, due dates, penalties and US LLCs.
- Form 3520: reporting gifts and money received from abroad3 minute readWhen to file Form 3520 for gifts from abroad: the $100,000 threshold for foreign individuals, gifts from foreign companies, trusts and penalties.
- Form 2848 vs Form 8821: letting someone deal with the IRS for you2 minute readForm 2848 vs Form 8821: representation versus access to information, who can be named, how to submit online, how long they last and revoking.
- Form 5472: who files, what to report and the deadline10 minute readForm 5472 for foreign-owned US LLCs and corporations: who files, what to report, the pro forma 1120, the April 15 deadline and the penalty.