I cannot seem to find an explanation in my IRS booklet of how I am supposed to attach my W-2 to my tax return. Staple? Tape? A booger? What do they want me to use?
And it says to attach it “here” in the income section; does that mean it will be stapled/taped such that it basically covers that whole section? I assume I only attach it at one end, so they can flip it open like a page and read what’s underneath.
Every year I have to ask somebody this… I’ve been filing for over 10 years and iInever remember how I do this or if it matters… :smack:
My general rule is that one first class stamp is sufficient postage for 4 pages, but with a tax return, it’s better to mail the damn thing certified mail anyway.
I have 3 W-2s and I’m filing a 1040-EZ, so I only have this one side of one page document to file and three things to attach to it. How should I do it?
If I have multiple income statements (I had three this year), I attach them based on size, largest to smallest. All are facing up, with the W-2s/1099s on top of the tax form
Last few years, I’ve filed electronically, actually, which is less hassle. If you qualify, you might even be able to do it for free. I DO find it annoying that they normally charge a fee for efiling. It has to be less cost to them than handling a paper return.
Geez - you folks ever hear of e-file? No stamps required, no W-2s to "attach and you get your refund in 10 business days or less. Plus, the cost is deductible!
Well, not really. As a “miscellaneous deduction,” tax preparation fees are only deductible to the extent that they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income, which is usually a pretty high bar to clear.
I’ve encountered a lot of folks who send all of their 1099 forms along with their returns. The IRS doesn’t want you to attach most 1099s, like the ones you get reporting interest from your bank account, your brokerage account, etc.
The only version of the 1099 that you should attach is the 1099-R, which reports pension payments from plans other than Social Security (they don’t want the 1099 the Social Security folks send you, either!), and even then, they only want the 1099-R if some taxes were withheld from those payments.
Simple rule: if they don’t ask for it, don’t send it. If they have some questions about your return later, they’ll write and ask for clarification.
Yeah, I did have a 1099-R this year and I remember checking closely to make sure I was supposed to send it. I just didn’t remember when I was making my post. Thanks for the correction - I wouldn’t want someone to send the wrong stuff in based on my post!