Tax forms guide
Form 1040 explained
Form 1040 is the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return: the return an individual files for the year. A W-2 or a 1099 is different. It is a statement from one payer about what they paid you. PayStubGo does not prepare tax returns and has no Form 1040 tool.
Last updated
Form 1040 vs W-2 vs 1099
| Form | What it is | Who prepares it |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1040 | Your own income tax return for the year | You, the individual |
| Form W-2 | A statement of one employer’s wages and withholding | Your employer |
| Form 1099-NEC | A statement of nonemployee compensation from one payer | The business that paid you |
| Form 1099-MISC | A statement of other payments from one payer, such as rents or royalties | The business that paid you |
The W-2 and 1099 forms you receive
- Form W-2 comes from an employer and covers the year’s wages and withholding. It is not the same as a pay stub: see W-2 vs pay stub.
- Form 1099-NEC comes from a business that paid you nonemployee compensation.
- Form 1099-MISC reports other payments, such as rents or royalties.
These forms are statements about one payer. Form 1040 is your own return for the year. If you pay contractors yourself, see which 1099 form you need.
Where to get Form 1040 and its instructions
The IRS publishes Form 1040, its schedules and the line-by-line instructions at About Form 1040. Use those instructions or a tax professional for your own return; this page is not tax advice.
All tax form pages on PayStubGo are listed on the tax forms hub.