The time to file 2010 tax returns is nearly upon us, and many Americans are wondering where to obtain important tax filing information, where to download IRS forms, whether they have to file at all, and when their tax returns are actually due. In this article, you will learn about these topics and where to find 2010 tax brackets listed online.
Do You Have to File Taxes for 2010? How Do You Find Out?
The minimum requirements for having to file a tax return for any given year will change each year. In general, though, the requirement to file taxes is triggered by a certain level of income.
To figure out if you have to file taxes for the 2010 tax year, you should review relevant tax return instructions (for Form 1040, 1040-A, or 1040-EZ) once they’re available. IRS Publication 501 (Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information) is another good resource for determining filing requirements.
Once you review the appropriate tax return instructions, you may be surprised to find out that you need to file even if you don’t owe anything.
2010 Tax Forms – Form 1040, Schedule C, Form 2441, Schedule M, etc.
In December of each year, the IRS typically makes that year’s tax forms available in PDF format on irs.gov. All published IRS tax forms and related instructions are searchable by name in the Forms and Publications section of the website. There will not be a single listing of all 2010 tax forms on the IRS website; you must search the Forms and Publications section for the forms you need.
The IRS typically provides an explanation when a particular tax form won’t be published until the new year. In some years, pending tax law changes or especially complicated new tax provisions necessitate this delay. Sometimes the IRS simply needs extra time to develop a new form or implement a new reporting system.
2010 Tax Rates – IRS Federal Income Tax Brackets
The inflation-adjusted 2010 tax brackets are detailed in Revenue Procedure 2009-50. The 2010 tax rate tables don’t differ much from 2009 because only minimal inflation adjustments were made. It is important to note that if the Bush tax cuts are not extended at the end of 2010, tax rates may jump quite a bit in 2011.
When are 2010 Taxes Due? April & October 2010 Tax Filing Deadlines
An individual tax return is originally due April 15th, and an extension can give you an additional six months to file. Learn more about tax filing deadlines in the article When Are Taxes Due? That article covers original and extended tax filing deadlines for tax years 2010 through 2014.
Tax Return Calculator – Compute 2010 Tax Liability or Tax Refund
TurboTax and H&R Block offer easy-to-use online income tax calculators. If you know the major components of your income and deductions, you should be able to estimate your 2010 tax liability or tax refund amount with one of these tax return calculators.
Learn more about TurboTax’s Tax Caster and H&R Block’s Tax Estimator and find direct links to both in the article Free Tax Refund Calculator Online.
Where to Mail 2010 Tax Returns – IRS Form 1040
According to the IRS, nearly 99 million U.S. taxpayers (close to 70%) used e-file in 2010. Despite the fact that e-filing is becoming the preferred choice of filing by self-preparers, many holdouts still mail in paper forms each year. Because the IRS mailing address for any given form is subject to change each year, paper filers should make a habit of double-checking the mailing address in the appropriate tax return instructions. Alternatively, this information can be found on the IRS website, irs.gov, in an easily searchable map format.
To learn how to find out where to mail Form 1040 or another individual income tax return this year, see the following article (although the article was written in 2009, the IRS page profiled should have updated information by the start of each tax season):
Sources:
- IRS Tax Tip 2010-17: Do I Have to File a Tax Return? Retrieved from irs.gov on November 14, 2010.
- IR-2010-112, Nearly 70 Percent of Taxpayers Used IRS e-file in 2010. Retrieved from irs.gov on November 11, 2010.
Related articles:
- 2010 Tax Credits and Deductions Changes
- Appliance Tax Credits 2010
- Are Unemployment Benefits Taxable?
- How to Extend Federal Income Tax Returns
- Residential Energy Credits
- Where’s My Refund? Tool on irs.gov
- IRS Now Accepting 2010 Tax Returns
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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