10 Popular IRS Tax and Financial Forms: What They Are, How to Use Them, and Tips for Filling Them Out

IRS Tax and Financial Forms: Dealing with taxes and financial forms can feel overwhelming, but knowing what each form is for and how to fill it out correctly can make things much more manageable. Whether you’re filing your taxes as an individual, managing a business, or working as a freelancer, understanding these essential forms can help you stay on track and avoid penalties.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the most commonly used tax forms in the U.S., explain what they’re for, how to use them, and give you helpful tips. Let’s get started!

Know about the Tax Filing Deadline for the years 2024-2025

Key Takeaways About IRS Tax and Financial Forms

1. Form 1040: Used to file your yearly income tax return and determine if you owe taxes or get a refund.
2. Form W-4: Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from your paycheck.
3. Form 1040-ES: Helps self-employed individuals pay quarterly estimated taxes.
4. Form 941: Used by employers to report payroll taxes every quarter.
5. Form SS-4: Your business needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
6. Form W-9: Provides your taxpayer ID number to others who need it for tax reporting.
7. Form W-2: Sent by employers to report wages and taxes withheld from your paycheck.
8. Form W-7: For non-eligible U.S. residents to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
9. Form 4506-T: Request a transcript of your past tax returns.
10. Form 9465: Set up a payment plan if you can’t fully pay your taxes.

Tip: Understanding each IRS Tax and Financial Forms outline makes a difference. You stay organized, remove a key from disciplines, and manage your charge obligations easily.

1. Form 1040 – U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

What is it for?

Form 1040 is the prominent form individuals use to file their annual tax returns with the IRS.

How to use it:

• Use this form to report all your income from things like jobs, investments, and side gigs.
• You’ll also use it to claim any deductions or credits that could reduce your taxes.
• By filling out this form, you’ll determine if you owe more taxes or get a refund.

Tips: IRS Tax and Financial Forms

• Double-check your information (like your name and Social Security number) to avoid mistakes.
• Remember to include all income, even from side jobs or freelance work.
• Look for tax credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit to lower your bill.

Download: You can get Form 1040 from the IRS website here: IRS Form 1040.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to the U.S. Tax System 2025: What You Need to Know

2. Form W-4 – Employee’s Withholding Certificate

What is it for?

Form W-4 tells your employer how much money to take from your paycheck for federal income taxes.

How to use it:

• Fill out this form when you start a new job or if you need to update your withholding after a life change (like marriage or having a baby).
• It helps your employer determine how much to withhold from your paycheck so you don’t owe a tremendous amount at tax time.

Tips:

• You can adjust your withholding if you want more or less money from your paycheck.
• Use the IRS’s online tool to ensure your withholding is correct, especially if you have multiple jobs.

Download: You can get Form W-4 here: IRS Form W-4.

Know How to Fill Out Form W-4 Correctly for 2024 – A Step-by-Step Guide.

3. Form 1040-ES – Estimated Tax for Individuals

What is it for?

Form 1040-ES is used by people who don’t have taxes automatically taken out of their income (like self-employed people) to pay estimated taxes every quarter.

How to use it:

• If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or business owner, you’ll need to pay estimated taxes to avoid a large bill at the end of the year.
• You’ll use this form to calculate how much to pay each quarter (usually April, June, September, and January).

Tips: IRS Tax and Financial Forms

• Keep track of your income and deductions to make accurate estimated payments.
• If you don’t pay enough throughout the year, you might have to pay penalties, so it’s essential to stay on top.

Download: Get Form 1040-ES here: IRS Form 1040-ES.

4. Form 941 – Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return

What is it for?

Form 941 allows employers to report employee wages and taxes withheld from their paychecks.

How to use it:

• If you have employees, you’ll use this form to report income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
• It’s filed every quarter, and the payment is due after each quarter ends.

Tips:

• Be sure to file this on time to avoid penalties or interest.
• Make sure the wages and taxes reported match your payroll records exactly.

Download: Get Form 941 here: IRS Form 941.

5. Form SS-4 – Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

What is it for?

Form SS-4 is used to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), such as a business’s Social Security number.

How to Use IRS Tax and Financial Forms:

• If you start a business or hire employees, you’ll need an EIN for tax reporting.
• This form applies to many types of businesses, including sole proprietors, corporations, and partnerships.

Tips:

• Applying for an EIN is free; you can do it online, by email, or by fax.
• If you only have a sole proprietorship and no employees, you might not need an EIN and can use your Social Security number instead.

Download: Get Form SS-4 here: IRS Form SS-4.

Know Important Dates – When to File Your 2024 Taxes: Your Ultimate Guide to a Smooth Tax Season

6. Form W-9 – Ask for Citizen Recognizable Proof Number and Certification

What is it for?

Form W-9 is used when someone (like a business or client) asks for your taxpayer identification number (TIN).

How to use it:

• If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or business owner, you’ll fill out this form for anyone paying you.
• The company will use it to report how much they paid you on their taxes.

Tips: IRS Tax and Financial Forms

• Please verify your name and Social Security number (or EIN if you are a business) to avoid payment delays or tax issues.
• You only need to fill out a W-9 when someone asks, so keep it handy for your clients.

Download: Get Form W-9 here: IRS Form W-9.

7. Form W-2 – Wage and Tax Statement

What is it for?

Form W-2 is used by employers to report the wages and taxes withheld from employees.

How to Use IRS Tax and Financial Forms:

• Your employer will send you a W-2 each year, summarizing how much you earned and how much tax was withheld.
• When filing your tax return, you’ll use this form to report your income.

Tips:

• Check your W-2 for accuracy before filing. Mistakes can delay your refund or cause issues with the IRS.
• Keep your W-2 for at least three years if you need it for tax verification.

Download: Employers provide this form to employees. For more info, visit IRS Form W-2.

8. Form W-7 – Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

What is it for?

Form W-7 is for individuals who need a taxpayer ID number but aren’t eligible for a Social Security number.

How to use it:

• If you are a non-resident or foreign national or don’t have a Social Security number, this form helps you get an ITIN to file your taxes.

Tips:

• You’ll need to provide documents like a passport to prove your identity.
• An ITIN is only used for taxes and doesn’t grant work authorization or Social Security benefits.

Download: Get Form W-7 here: IRS Form W-7.

Better to choose a Tax Software – The Battle of Tax Software: TurboTax vs. OLT Tax for 2024 – Which One Win?

9. Form 4506-T – Request for Transcript of Tax Return

What is it for?

Form 4506-T is used to request a transcript of your past tax returns from the IRS.

How to use it:

• Use this form if you need a copy of your tax return or other IRS records for things like applying for a loan or verifying income.

Tips: IRS Tax and Financial Forms

• You can get a free transcript, but if you need an official copy of your tax return, you may need to complete a different form (Form 4506).
• Transcripts are usually available for the last three years.

Download: Get Form 4506-T here: IRS Form 4506-T.

10. Form 9465 – Installment Agreement Request

What is it for?

Form 9465 helps you set up a payment plan with the IRS if you can’t pay your tax bill immediately.

How to use it:

• If you owe taxes but can’t afford to pay them immediately, use this form to request a monthly payment plan.
• You’ll need to provide details about your income and expenses to show how much you can afford to pay.

Tips:

• If you owe less than $50,000, you can set up a plan online, which is quicker and easier.
• Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact the IRS early to avoid penalties for late payments.

Download: Get Form 9465 here: IRS Form 9465.

Bottom Line: 10 Popular IRS Tax and Financial Forms

Filing taxes and overseeing monetary matters doesn’t have to be complicated once you get the reason for each form. Whether you’re a worker, self-employed, or a commerce proprietor, utilizing the appropriate forms at the right time will help and keep you in excellent standing with the IRS.

Download All Important Forms, instructions, & publications from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official site

Make sure to download the forms from the official IRS site, and if you’re uncertain about anything, consider contacting an assessor proficient at directing you through the process.