• Save time by checking what additional forms need to be included in your tax filing..tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  Each year before April 16 millions of Americans sit down and file their income taxes. In addition to the basic forms the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires, taxpayers must often file additional forms or schedules. Because the forms required depend on your particular situation and employment status, you are encouraged to check the IRS website or consult a tax expert to ensure you have each form that you need before you file your taxes. You can avoid delays in the processing of your federal taxes by submitting all required forms when you file your initial return.
  
  

W-2 Form

• If you are paid as an employee by a company or an organization you must include a W-2 form with your annual IRS filing. You must file a separate W-2 for each employer you worked for during the tax year. W-2 forms record your total federal, state and local wages and tips. Any federal, state and local taxes that were withheld from your paychecks are also recorded on the form. Additionally, W-2 forms record Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld as well as any before tax contributions you made to an employer's retirement plan.
  
  

Form 1040

• 1040 forms are the basic minimum form required for all filings. They are available for download at the IRS official website. If you do not have itemized deductions to report on your federal income tax, you can use form 1040EZ to file your annual income taxes. Deadline to file the forms is April 15. If you need to amend or change your original 1040 form, you must complete form 1040X and submit it to the IRS as soon as you become aware of the change. On the 1040 you will generally list all income including wages, tips, taxable interest (as from a bank account or CD), stock dividends or gains/losses from the sale of an asset, social security benefits and monies received from pensions and annuities.
  
  

Schedule C

• Complete a Schedule C form if you own a business or are self-employed. If you are a self-employed farmer you will complete Schedule F, while clergy and other qualified members of religious orders complete and submit Form 4361 to the IRS. This form exempts them from federal taxes based on income related to the church or religious work they perform. Report profits and losses directly related to the operation of your business on one of these forms. Submit the form to the IRS with your 1040.
  
  

1099 Form

• Freelancers and contractors are required to file a 1099 form for each client they worked for during the tax year that paid them more than $600. Contractors and freelancers are responsible for including a copy of the 1099 form when they file their federal income taxes. Variations of the form (e.g. 1099-S, 1099-R) are used to record monies received from real estate transactions, pensions, annuities and IRAs.
  
  

Other Forms

• Filers who received more than $1500 (as of the 2009 tax year) in taxable interest or ordinary dividends will file a Schedule B with their annual tax filing. Capital gains and losses from the sale of an asset are reported on Schedule D.