26Title 26The US tax code, read & explained ES

Tax forms

Tax forms, explained

What each common federal form is, who files or gets it, when it's due and what to watch for. For tax year 2026, filed in 2027.

Returns and payments

1040The US individual income tax return1040-NRThe US return for nonresidents1040-ESQuarterly estimated tax payments4868Automatic extension to file9465Installment agreement request

Forms you receive

W-2Wage and tax statement from your employer1099-NECFreelance and contractor pay1099-KPayments through apps and card processors1099-INT, DIV and BInterest, dividends and investment sales1098-TCollege tuition statement1095-AHealth Insurance Marketplace statement

Forms you give someone

W-4Telling your employer how much tax to withholdW-9Giving your taxpayer ID to someone who pays youW-8BENTelling a US payer you're a foreign person

International, immigration and foreign owners

8843Statement for exempt students, scholars and others5472Report of a foreign-owned US company8938Statement of specified foreign financial assets (FATCA)FinCEN 114 (FBAR)Report of foreign bank and financial accounts2555Foreign earned income exclusionW-7Applying for an ITIN

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General information, not tax or legal advice. Check the current IRS instructions for the form before you file.