Individuals use which form to report personal income to the IRS?

The 1040 form is designed specifically for individuals to report their annual income to the IRS. It serves as the primary tax form for individuals to detail their income, claim deductions, and calculate their tax liabilities for the year. Taxpayers use this form to summarize their financial information, including wages, interest, dividends, and other forms of income, allowing the IRS to assess the amount owed or the refund due.

In contrast, other forms mentioned have different purposes. The W-4 form is used by employees to indicate their tax situation to their employer, which determines the amount of federal income tax withheld from their paychecks. The W-2 form provides a summary of an employee's annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld by the employer, which is then reported to the IRS. The 1099 form is used to report various types of income received that aren't classified as wages, salaries, or tips, such as contracting income or interest payments, which the recipient then needs to include on their tax return. However, these forms do not serve as the vehicle for reporting overall personal income directly. Thus, the 1040 is essential for individuals to accurately report their personal income to the IRS.