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IRS Form 1040 (2015): Late & Amended Filing Guide
Complete your 2015 federal tax return, correct errors, or resolve outstanding IRS balances. For most taxpayers, the deadline to claim a 2015 refund expired April 18, 2019, though limited exceptions may apply.
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What Is This Form
IRS Form 1040 is the standard federal income tax return for the 2015 tax year. It reports wages, investment income, deductions, and credits to calculate your total tax liability and determine whether you owe a balance or are entitled to a refund.
Late Filers
Taxpayers can still file a 2015 return. Filing stops additional failure-to-file penalty accrual, but failure-to-pay penalties and interest may continue until the tax is paid in full.
Multiple Income Sources
Whether a 2015 federal return was required depended on filing status, age, and gross income; some taxpayers could use Form 1040A or 1040EZ.
Itemizing Deductions
Taxpayers whose deductible expenses exceeded the 2015 standard deduction could reduce taxable income by itemizing deductions on Schedule A with Form 1040.
Claiming 2015 Credits
The Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and reinstated Health Coverage Tax Credit were available to qualifying filers for the 2015 tax year.
IRS Compliance
Filing a 2015 federal tax return — even late — satisfies federal reporting obligations and stops the failure-to-file penalty from accruing further on unpaid tax.
Citizens Abroad / Military
U.S. citizens abroad had an automatic 2-month filing extension. Military personnel stationed abroad or in a combat zone may qualify for additional extensions under IRS rules.
Eligibility
Most taxpayers whose 2015 gross income exceeded the applicable threshold had to file a federal income tax return. The correct form — 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ — depended on the taxpayer's situation, income types, and filing circumstances.
Late Filers
Taxpayers who did not file a 2015 return by April 18, 2016, must still submit one to resolve any balance due and stop ongoing failure-to-file penalties.
Multiple Income Sources
A 2015 filing requirement depended on filing status, age, and gross income. Some eligible taxpayers could use Form 1040A or 1040EZ instead of Form 1040.
Itemizing Deductions
Filers whose qualified expenses — mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable gifts — exceeded the 2015 standard deduction should file with Schedule A attached.
Claiming 2015 Credits
For 2015, the Earned Income Credit was available on Form 1040EZ or 1040A, the Child Tax Credit on Form 1040A, and the HCTC on Form 8885.
IRS Compliance
Individuals who received IRS notices about an unfiled 2015 return, or who owe taxes from that year, must file to resolve the liability and stop penalty accrual.
Citizens Abroad / Military
U.S. citizens abroad and military members on qualifying duty may have had extended 2015 filing deadlines and could exclude foreign-earned income using Form 2555.
Step-by-Step
Follow each step using the official 2015 Form 1040 and its instructions to report income correctly, choose the right deductions, and calculate your final federal tax liability.
1. Gather Your Documents
Collect all 2015 W-2s, 1099s, pension statements, Social Security benefit letters, and brokerage statements. If supporting documents are missing, request IRS wage and income transcripts, account transcripts, or contact prior employers before you begin.
2. Choose the Correct Filing Status [2015] Only
Select from the five 2015 filing statuses: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child. Note that "Head of Household" required a qualifying person and that you paid more than half of the household costs during 2015. Filing status determines your standard deduction and bracket.
3. Report All Income on the Correct Lines [2015] Only
Enter wages on line 7; taxable interest on line 8a; ordinary dividends on line 9a; capital gains or losses on line 13 (attach Schedule D only if required); IRA and pension distributions on lines 15–16; Social Security benefits on lines 20a/20b; and business income from Schedule C on line 12. Unemployment compensation on line 19 was fully taxable in 2015.
4. Calculate Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Subtract above-the-line adjustments — including student loan interest, educator expenses, deductible IRA contributions, alimony paid, and self-employment tax — from total income to reach AGI on line 37. Your AGI controls eligibility for tax credits, deduction phase-outs, and the Net Investment Income Tax threshold.
5. Choose Your Deductions and Apply Exemptions [2015] Only
Compare itemized deductions (Schedule A) against the 2015 standard deduction: $6,300 (single or married filing separately), $12,600 (married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)), and $9,250 (head of household). Higher amounts are applied if age 65 or older or blind. Each personal exemption was $4,000. High-income filers may have had deductions reduced under the Pease limitation.
6. Claim the 2015-Specific Credits [2015] Only
The HCTC, reinstated retroactive to 2014, allowed eligible TAA/ATAA/RTAA recipients, certain PBGC payees, and qualifying family members to claim 72.5% of qualified health insurance premiums on Form 8885 with proof of coverage attached.
Filing Deadline — April 18, 2016
The April 15 deadline shifted to April 18, 2016, due to Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., and Maine and Massachusetts residents had until April 19 due to Patriots' Day. Form 4868 extended the filing deadline to October 17, 2016, but not the time to pay. Interest accrued from the original due date.
Refund Deadline — Likely Expired
For most original 2015 returns, the refund deadline was April 18, 2019. More broadly, refund claims are governed by the later of 3 years from filing or 2 years from paying the tax, subject to exceptions. That window is now closed for most filers. Consult a tax professional about exceptions.
Processing Time — Allow Several Months
The IRS says it takes approximately 6 weeks to process an accurately completed past-due tax return. If you have a balance due, submit full payment with your return to stop further interest accrual. Partial payment also reduces the daily interest on the remaining unpaid balance.
E-Filing Restriction — Paper Mail Required [2015] Only
The IRS modernized e-file accepts only the current and two prior tax years, so a 2015 return cannot be e-filed and must be paper-filed. Print, sign, and mail your completed Form 1040 and all required schedules to the address listed in the 2015 instructions for your state and filing type.
Missing W-2s or Tax Records for 2015?
You do not need original paper documents to file a complete and accurate 2015 return. The IRS and other agencies hold records that allow you to reconstruct your income and withholding from that year.
IRS Wage & Income Transcript
A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns the IRS received — Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, and 5498 — and may not reflect every return issued to you.
IRS Account Transcript
The IRS account transcript for 2015 shows estimated tax payments, withholding credits, prior payments, and any IRS adjustments made to your account for that tax year.
Social Security Administration
The SSA maintains records of wages reported under your Social Security number. Request a Social Security earnings statement to verify wage and self-employment income for 2015.
Contact Prior Employers
Former employers are required to retain payroll records. Contact HR or payroll departments directly to request a duplicate W-2 for 2015 if the IRS transcript is unavailable or incomplete.
Do not estimate your 2015 income; always use IRS transcripts and employer records to ensure your return matches what the IRS has on file.
Missing W-2s or Tax Records?
You can still complete your return even without original records
Owing a balance on an unfiled 2015 federal tax return does not mean you should delay further — filing immediately limits the penalties that continue to grow until you submit. Several resolution options remain available even years after the original deadline.
Failure-to-File Penalty
(5% per month, up to 25%)
The failure-to-file penalty is generally 5% of tax due per month, up to 25% of unpaid tax. When both failure-to-file and failure-to-pay apply in the same month, the failure-to-file penalty is reduced by the failure-to-pay penalty.
Failure-to-Pay Penalty
(0.5% per month + interest)
The failure-to-pay penalty is generally 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. Daily interest accrues on top. For individuals who filed on time with an approved payment plan, the rate reduces to 0.25% per month.
Penalty Abatement Options
(First-Time Abatement & Reasonable Cause)
Taxpayers with a clean compliance history may qualify for First-Time Abatement, which can eliminate the failure-to-file or failure-to-pay penalty. Reasonable cause abatement is available when circumstances beyond your control — illness, natural disaster, or unavoidable absence — prevented timely filing.
Filing is generally better than not filing — the failure-to-file penalty is much larger than the failure-to-pay penalty. When both apply in the same month, the failure-to-file penalty is reduced accordingly.
Owe Taxes and Need Help?
If your tax situation has resulted in unpaid IRS debt, professional help can reduce what you owe and stop enforcement actions:
- settle your IRS tax debt for less than the full amount with an Offer in Compromise
- set up an affordable IRS payment plan to resolve your balance
- remove or reduce IRS penalties added to your tax debt
Request a free tax relief assessment — speak with a licensed specialist today.
Errors on a 2015 return can trigger IRS notices, processing delays, or lost credits that cannot be recovered after certain deadlines.
- Using the wrong tax year form — Filing with a 2014 or 2016 version of Form 1040 will cause rejection; always confirm the tax form header reads "2015" before submitting.
- Missing the Health Coverage Tax Credit — The HCTC was retroactively reinstated for 2015; eligible trade-displaced workers who omitted Form 8885 may have missed a significant credit.
- Wrong filing status label — Using an outdated or incorrect filing status affects your standard deduction, bracket, and credit eligibility; verify the 2015 definitions before selecting one.
- Applying Pease limitations incorrectly — The 2015 Pease limitation applied when AGI exceeded $258,250 (single), $309,900 (MFJ/qualifying widow(er)), $154,950 (MFS), or $284,050 (head of household).
- Treating unemployment compensation as partially tax-free — Unemployment benefits were fully taxable in 2015; any exclusion applied only in 2020 under the ARPA and does not apply to this return.
- Assuming a refund is still available — The 2015 refund deadline was generally April 18, 2019, though claims may be governed by the later of 3 years from filing or 2 years from payment.
- Missing or incorrect Social Security numbers — SSN errors for the taxpayer, spouse, or any dependent can delay processing and cause denial of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
- Unsigned return — An unsigned return is invalid. Both spouses must generally sign a joint return, though exceptions apply for armed forces members or those with power of attorney.
- Missing attachments — For 2015, attach Form 8962 if reconciling premium tax credits, Form 8965 if claiming a coverage exemption, and Schedule A if itemizing. Do not attach Form 1095-A.
What is IRS Form 1040 (2015) used for?
IRS Form 1040 (2015) is the standard U.S. federal income tax return for the 2015 tax year. It reports wages, investment income, self-employment earnings, and other income; calculates your federal tax liability; and determines whether you owe taxes or qualify for a refund. Schedules support specific deductions and tax credits.
Can I still file a 2015 tax return?
Yes, there is no IRS deadline for filing a return on which you owe taxes; late payment penalties and interest simply continue to accrue. However, the three-year window to claim a 2015 refund closed April 18, 2019. Filing immediately stops the failure-to-file penalty and opens the door to payment plan options.
What were the 2015 standard deduction and personal exemption amounts?
For 2015, the standard deduction was $6,300 (single or married filing separately), $12,600 (married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)), and $9,250 (head of household). The personal exemption was $4,000. PEP and Pease phase-outs began at AGI above $258,250 (single) and $309,900 (married filing jointly).
What health coverage forms were required with a 2015 return?
Most 2015 filers had to address the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate on their federal income tax return. Form 8962 reconciled advance premium tax credits, and Form 8965 claimed a coverage exemption. Failing to attach either form where required could delay processing or trigger an IRS notice.
How do I get my 2015 tax transcripts from the IRS?
Request transcripts through an Individual Online Account, Get Transcripts by Mail (800-908-9946), or Form 4506-T. A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns the IRS received and may not reflect every return issued to you. A tax account transcript shows return data, payment types, and post-filing changes.
What if I need to correct a 2015 return I already filed?
To change income, deductions, filing status, or tax credits on a previously filed 2015 return, file Form 1040X. Amended returns must be mailed and cannot be e-filed. Amending to claim an additional refund is no longer possible since the April 2019 deadline has passed.
What payment options are available if I owe 2015 taxes?
If you cannot pay your full federal tax balance, request an installment agreement using Form 9465 or the Online Payment Agreement tool for balances of $50,000 or less. Currently Not Collectible status and penalty abatement are additional options. Consult a tax professional to determine the best resolution strategy.
How long should I keep records after filing my 2015 return?
Keep all supporting documents — W-2s, 1099s, schedules, and proof of mailing — for at least three years from your filing date. Retain records longer if you underreported income by more than 25% or did not file. The IRS generally has six years to assess tax if substantial income was omitted.
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