STEP 1
Fill in your name, the name of your spouse (if married filing jointly), complete address, and social security number(s) at the top of the form.  Click here if you are uncertain of your filing status.

STEP 2
If you wish to have $3 go towards the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, check the appropriate box.
Note:  This money will not be taken out of any refund you receive, nor will it be added to any amount you owe.  It is money that has already been taken, you just say whether or not you want it to go towards this fund.

STEP 3 - LINE 1
Enter your total wages, tips, and salaries as reported in box 1 of your W-2 form(s).  If you have more than one W-2 form, add together the amounts found in box 1 of each form and record the total amount on line 1 of your Form 1040EZ.

STEP 4 - LINE 2
If you have any taxable interest, enter it on line 2.  The amount of taxable interest you may have will be reported on Form 1099-INT or Form 1099-OID.
Note:  If the total of your taxable interest is over $400, you cannot use Form 1040EZ.  See our forms checklist to determine which form is right for you.

STEP 5 - LINE 3
If you have any unemployment compensation, enter the amount on line 3.  Unemployment compensation is reported on Form 1099-G.

STEP 6 - LINE 4
Add the amounts on lines 1, 2, and 3 and enter the sum on line 4.  If this amount is under $10,200, you may qualify for the EIC (see more about the EIC for eligibility requirements).

STEP 7 - LINE 5
Check either the "yes" box or the "no" box to indicate if your parents or someone else can claim you on their return.  Someone else can claim you if you are a dependent.
* If you check the "no" box and you are single, enter 7,050.00 on line 5.
* If you check the "no" box and are married, enter 12,700.00 on line 5.
* If you check the "yes" box, complete the worksheet on the back of Form 1040EZ and enter the amount from line G of the worksheet on line 5 of the form.

STEP 8 - LINE 6
Subtract line 5 from line 4 and enter the amount on line 6.  If line 5 is more than line 4, enter "0" on line 6.

STEP 9 - LINE 7
Enter the total federal tax taken from your paychecks on line 7.  This can be found by adding up the values in box 2 of your W-2(s).

STEP 10 - LINE 8a
If you are eligible (see Step 6), enter the amount of your EIC on line 8a.  You can figure out your EIC by completing the EIC Worksheet on page 18 and then consulting the EIC Tables on page 19 of the Instructions for Form 1040EZ.
Note:  This publication takes a long time to download and you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view it.  This software is free and is fairly easy to download (click on the form you want and downloading instructions will appear).  If you are using a public computer, however, downloading this software may not be an option and you should go to your local federal building for the necessary tax forms.
If you feel you can't figure out your EIC, you can write "EIC" on line 8a and the IRS will calculate your credit for you.  The problem with this, however, is that you will not know how much EIC you will receive and you will be unable to complete the rest of Form 1040EZ.

STEP 11 - LINE 9
If you were able to figure out your EIC, add line 8a with line 7 and enter the sum on line 9.

STEP 12 - LINE 10
Look up the amount you have on line 6 in the Tax Tables.  Enter the tax from the tables on line 10.
Note:  You may need to zoom in to read the tables--use the magnifying glass symbols with the "+" and "-" signs to zoom in and out on the tax tables.

STEP 13 - LINE 11a
If line 9 is bigger than line 10, the difference between them is your REFUND.  Enter the amount on line 11a.
Note:  You do not need to fill out line 11b, c, or d, unless you would like your refund check directly deposited into your account.  If you do want your money directly deposited, enter the routing number, type of account, and account number on these lines.  Otherwise, your refund check should be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks.

STEP 14 - LINE 12
If line 10 is bigger than line 9, the difference between them is what you OWE.  Enter the amount on line 12.
If this amount is under $1, you do not have to pay it.
If this amount is over $1, you must send your payment in with your Form 1040EZ.  This payment can be a check or money order made payable to the "United States Treasury." Be sure to include your name, address, daytime phone number, and social security number on your payment, as well as "1999 Form 1040EZ" in the memo section.
DO NOT attach the payment to the Form 1040EZ.  DO NOT send cash.

STEP 15
Sign and date your return at the bottom where it says "Your Signature" and "Date."
If you are married filing jointly, your spouse must also sign and date the return.

STEP 16
Mail your Form 1040EZ, W-2 form(s), and payment (if applicable) to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15.
To find out where you should mail your return, click here.