Form 1040EZ Tax Year 2015 Filing Checklist
Overview of Form 1040EZ for Tax Year 2015
Form 1040EZ offers a simplified filing option for taxpayers with straightforward financial situations. For 2015, this form includes health insurance coverage reporting under the Affordable Care Act individual shared responsibility provision. Form 1040EZ was discontinued after 2017, making this a mid-period version of the simplified return.
Key 2015 Tax Year Provisions
Standard Deduction and Exemption
Standard deduction amounts for 2015 are $6,300 for single filers and $12,600 for married filing jointly. Personal exemption equals $4,000 per person. Combined Line 5 amounts total $10,300 for single filers and $20,600 for married filing jointly.
Income and Filing Limits
Taxable income must be less than $100,000. Taxable interest cannot exceed $1,500. Acceptable income sources include wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, and taxable scholarships only.
Health Coverage Requirements
Taxpayers must report full-year health coverage on Line 11 or calculate the shared responsibility payment. Forms 1095-A, 1095-B, and 1095-C document coverage. Those claiming exemptions must file Form 8965.
Earned Income Credit Limits
EIC income limits for 2015 by filing status and qualifying children:
- No children: $14,820 single, $20,330 married filing jointly
- One child: $39,131 single, $44,651 married filing jointly
- Two children: $44,454 single, $49,974 married filing jointly
- Three or more children: $47,747 single, $53,267 married filing jointly
- Investment income limit: $3,400
This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Use Form 1040EZ
You qualify if you meet all these requirements:
- Filing status is single or married filing jointly
- Under age 65 and not blind on December 31, 2015
- No dependents claimed
- Taxable income less than $100,000
- Taxable interest $1,500 or less
- No advance premium tax credit payments received
- Valid Social Security number for you and your spouse if filing jointly
- Income only from wages, salaries, tips, unemployment, Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, or taxable scholarships
Who Cannot Use Form 1040EZ
You must use Form 1040A or 1040 if you:
- Are you age 65 or older or blind
- Claim any dependents
- Received advance premium tax credit payments
- Have taxable interest exceeding $1,500
- Have income from self-employment, business, rental property, capital gains, or other sources not listed above
- Need to claim credits other than EIC
- Need adjustments to income or itemized deductions
- Are nonresident aliens filing separately
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements, including filing status, age, income limits, and income sources. Check that taxable interest does not exceed $1,500, and no advance premium tax credit was received.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Collect all Forms W-2 showing wages in Box 1 and withholding in Box 2. Obtain Forms 1099-INT for taxable interest, Forms 1099-G for unemployment compensation, and Forms 1095-A/B/C documenting health coverage.
This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
Step 3: Complete Personal Information
Enter your name, Social Security number, and address at the top of Form 1040EZ. If you are married and filing jointly, include your spouse’s name and Social Security number. Check the correct filing status box.
Step 4: Report Income Lines 1 Through 3
Line 1: Enter total wages, salaries, and tips from Box 1 of all Forms W-2. Add all W-2 amounts if multiple employers.
Line 2: Enter total taxable interest, not exceeding $1,500. Add all Form 1099-INT amounts together.
Line 3: Enter unemployment compensation from Form 1099-G plus any Alaska Permanent Fund dividends.
Step 5: Calculate Adjusted Gross Income Line 4
Add Lines 1, 2, and 3. Enter the total on Line 4. This is your adjusted gross income with no adjustments permitted.
Step 6: Determine Standard Deduction and Exemption Line 5
If no one can claim you as a dependent, enter $10,300 if single or $20,600 if married filing jointly. If someone can claim you as a dependent, use the worksheet on page 2: enter Line 1 amount plus $350, compare to $6,300 single or $12,600 married filing jointly, and enter the smaller amount, but at least $1,050. Add $4,000 if married filing jointly and only one spouse can be claimed as a dependent.
Step 7: Calculate Taxable Income Line 6
Subtract Line 5 from Line 4. If Line 5 exceeds Line 4, enter zero. This amount must be less than $100,000.
Step 8: Report Federal Tax Withheld Line 7
Enter total federal income tax withheld from Box 2 of all Forms W-2 and any Forms 1099 showing withholding. Add all amounts together if multiple forms.
Step 9: Determine Earned Income Credit Line 8a
Review EIC eligibility requirements. Investment income must not exceed $3,400. Earned income and AGI must each be below the threshold for your filing status and number of qualifying children—valid Social Security numbers required. Refer to the EIC table in the instructions to determine your credit amount if eligible.
This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
Step 10: Report Nontaxable Combat Pay Line 8b
If you received nontaxable combat pay shown in Box 12 of Form W-2 with code Q, you may elect to include it for EIC purposes. Enter the amount only if making this optional election.
Step 11: Calculate Total Payments Line 9
Add Lines 7 and 8a. Enter the total on Line 9.
Step 12: Find Tax Using Tax Table Line 10
Use the tax table in the instructions to find the tax for your Line 6 taxable income and filing status. Locate your income range and corresponding tax amount.
Step 13: Report Health Coverage or Payment Line 11
Check “Full-year coverage” and enter zero if you, your spouse, and all dependents had qualifying health coverage for all 12 months of 2015.
If anyone lacked coverage for any month, either claim an exemption using Form 8965 or calculate the shared responsibility payment using the worksheet in Form 8965 instructions. Enter the payment amount on Line 11.
Step 14: Calculate Total Tax Line 12
Add Lines 10 and 11. Enter the total on Line 12.
Step 15: Determine Refund or Amount Owed
Line 13a Refund: If Line 9 exceeds Line 12, subtract Line 12 from Line 9. Enter the result on Line 13a. Complete Lines 13b, 13c, and 13d for direct deposit with routing number, account type, and account number.
Line 14 Amount Owed: If Line 12 exceeds Line 9, subtract Line 9 from Line 12. Enter the result on Line 14. Make payment payable to “United States Treasury” and write your SSN and “2015 Form 1040EZ” on the payment.
Step 16: Complete Third Party Designee Section
Check “Yes” to authorize someone to discuss your return with the IRS. Enter designee name, phone number, and five-digit PIN. Check “No” if you are not authorizing anyone.
This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
Step 17: Sign and Date the Return
Sign and date under penalties of perjury. Enter your occupation and daytime phone number. If married filing jointly, both spouses must also sign, date, and enter their occupation. Both signatures are required for joint returns.
Step 18: Attach Required Forms
Attach Copy B of all Forms W-2 to the left side of Form 1040EZ using staples or tape. Attach Form 8965 if claiming coverage exemption or reporting shared responsibility payment. Attach Form 8888 if splitting the refund. Keep Forms 1095-A/B/C with your records; do not attach to the return.
Step 19: Mail by Deadline
Mail the completed Form 1040EZ by April 18, 2016. Maine and Massachusetts residents have until April 19, 2016. Use the correct IRS mailing address for your state as provided in the instructions. Different addresses apply for returns with payments versus refunds.
If you need additional time, please file Form 4868 by April 18, 2016, to request an automatic six-month extension. Pay any estimated tax due by April 18 to avoid penalties and interest.
Critical Filing Restrictions
Credits Limited to EIC Only
Form 1040EZ permits only the Earned Income Credit. Cannot claim education credits, child tax credit, retirement savings credit, or any other credits.
No Deductions or Adjustments
Only the standard deduction is allowed; itemized deductions are not permitted. No adjustments to income, such as IRA contributions, student loan interest, educator expenses, or self-employment tax deductions, are allowed.
Premium Tax Credit Disqualification
If you or any family member received advance payments for the premium tax credit for Marketplace health insurance, you cannot use Form 1040EZ. You must file either Form 1040A or Form 1040 along with Form 8962 to reconcile the advance payments.
Nonresident Alien Restrictions
Nonresident aliens can only use Form 1040EZ if they are married and filing jointly. All other nonresident aliens must file Form 1040-NR or Form 1040-NR-EZ.
Filing Options and Record Keeping
Electronic Filing Benefits
Consider IRS e-file for faster refunds within 21 days with direct deposit, automatic error checking, and confirmation of receipt. Many taxpayers qualify for IRS Free File, which offers free software and electronic filing.
Document Retention
Keep copies of Form 1040EZ, Forms W-2, Forms 1099, Forms 1095, and all supporting documents for at least three years from the filing date or for two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever period is longer. This checklist covers all essential requirements for accurately completing Form 1040EZ for tax year 2015 and meeting the April 18, 2016, filing deadline.
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This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
