{% extends "base.html" %} {% from "tax/_fields.html" import steps %} {% block title %}How to file {{ year }}{% endblock %} {% macro address(lines) -%}{% for ln in lines %}{{ ln }}{% if not loop.last %}
{% endif %}{% endfor %}{%- endmacro %} {% macro usd(v) -%}${{ '{:,}'.format(v) }}{%- endmacro %} {% block content %} {% set joint = data.filing_status == 'mfj' %}

Tax return {{ year }} /

How to file your {{ year }} returns

Bookkeeper can't send returns to the IRS or Connecticut itself — only authorized e-file providers can. Here are your options.

{% if ret.blocking %}
Fix the items marked ✕ on the overview first. Some situations on this return aren't handled by Bookkeeper, or required information is missing.
{% endif %} {% if ret.preliminary %}
These are preliminary {{ year }} numbers. Don't file until the final {{ year }} forms are out and Bookkeeper's {{ year }} rules have been updated.
{% endif %}

Federal (Form 1040)

Option A — e-file free with IRS Free File Fillable Forms

  1. Go to IRS Free File Fillable Forms (available to all income levels when the IRS offers it for the year).
  2. Add the same forms Bookkeeper lists on your return, and type each line's amount from Bookkeeper.
  3. It checks the math and e-files to the IRS. Keep the confirmation.

Option B — mail a paper return

Download Form 1040 and schedules (PDF)

  1. Print the PDF single-sided on plain white paper. It's the official {{ year }} IRS forms, filled in{% if ret.summary.fed_owe %}, with Form 1040-V (the payment voucher) as the last page{% endif %}.
  2. Write in the Social Security numbers — Bookkeeper leaves those boxes blank: on Form 1040 (you, spouse, each dependent) and in the box at the top right of every schedule and form.
  3. Fill in the direct-deposit routing and account numbers on Form 1040 line 35 if you want the refund deposited, then sign and date page 2{% if joint %} — both of you, since it's a joint return{% else %} (both spouses if filing jointly){% endif %}.
  4. Put it in order: Form 1040 on top, then the schedules and forms in the order of the “Attachment Sequence No.” printed in the top right corner of each — the PDF is already in that order. Send only the forms listed below; leave out pages that don't apply and the worksheets.
  5. Attach Copy B of each Form W-2 to the front of Form 1040 (the left margin of page 1 says “Attach Form(s) W-2 here”), plus any Form 1099-R or W-2G that shows federal tax withheld.
    6. {% if ret.summary.fed_owe %}
  6. Paying the {{ usd(ret.summary.fed_owe) }} by check: make it payable to “United States Treasury”, and write your daytime phone number, your Social Security number{% if joint %} (the one shown first on the return){% endif %} and “{{ year }} Form 1040” on it. Cut off the Form 1040-V voucher (write your SSN{{ 's' if joint }} on it) and put the check and voucher loose in the envelope — don't staple or attach them to the return or to each other.
    7. {% endif %}
  7. Mail it to the address for Connecticut residents: {% if mail.fed_payment %}
    With a check or money order{% if ret.summary.fed_owe %} — your return{% endif %}{{ address(mail.fed_payment) }}
    Refund, nothing owed, or you pay online{% if not ret.summary.fed_owe %} — your return{% endif %}{{ address(mail.fed_no_payment) }}
    Only the U.S. Postal Service delivers to P.O. boxes. Envelopes over five pages or ¼″ thick may need extra postage. {% else %}see the IRS Where to File page (it differs depending on whether you enclose a payment).{% endif %}

Forms in this return

Worksheets (Social Security, capital gains tax, EIC) are for your records; don't mail them.

{% if ret.summary.fed_owe %}

To pay {{ usd(ret.summary.fed_owe) }} online instead: IRS Direct Pay from your bank account, by April 15 — then mail the return without a check, to the Kansas City address, and leave out Form 1040-V.

{% endif %}

Connecticut (Form CT-1040)

Option A — file free online with myconneCT

  1. Log in to myconneCT (Connecticut DRS's free filing site; create a username the first time).
  2. Choose to file an individual income tax return and enter the figures from your CT-1040 in Bookkeeper as it asks for them.
  3. Submit and keep the confirmation number. Refunds can be direct-deposited; balances can be paid by bank transfer.

Option B — paper

Download Form CT-1040 (PDF)

  1. Print the PDF single-sided. Send all four pages of Form CT-1040 even if some are blank, with any schedules Bookkeeper included (Schedule CT-EITC, Schedule CT-Dependent) behind it.
  2. Write in the Social Security numbers (page 1 and the top of pages 2–4 and of each schedule) and sign page 2{% if joint %} — both of you{% endif %}.
  3. Don't send W-2s or 1099s — Connecticut says “Do not send Forms W-2 or 1099”. Keep them; DRS may ask for them later. Don't attach your federal return either.
  4. Don't staple — use a paper clip.
    5. {% if ret.summary.ct_owe %}
  5. Paying the {{ usd(ret.summary.ct_owe) }} by check: make it payable to “Commissioner of Revenue Services”, write your SSN{{ '(s)' if joint }} (optional) and “{{ year }} Form CT-1040” on it, and paper-clip it to the front of the return where page 1 says “Clip check here”.
    6. {% endif %}
  6. Mail it to: {% if mail.ct_payment %}
    With a payment{% if ret.summary.ct_owe %} — your return{% endif %}{{ address(mail.ct_payment) }}
    Refund, nothing owed, or you pay online{% if not ret.summary.ct_owe %} — your return{% endif %}{{ address(mail.ct_no_payment) }}
    {% else %}the address on page 4 of Form CT-1040 — it depends on whether you're enclosing a payment.{% endif %}
{% if ret.summary.ct_owe %}

To pay {{ usd(ret.summary.ct_owe) }} online instead: pay through myconneCT by the due date, then mail the return without a check to the “refund or nothing owed” address.

{% endif %}

{{ year + 1 }} estimated payments

{% if plans %}
See the {{ year + 1 }} plan {% if vouchers and (plans.federal.total or (plans.ct and plans.ct.total)) %}Download {{ year + 1 }} payment vouchers (PDF){% endif %}
{% endif %}
{% if plans is none %}

Bookkeeper doesn't have the {{ year + 1 }} estimated tax rules yet.

{% else %} {% set fed, ct = plans.federal, plans.ct %}

Tax that isn't withheld from pay or pensions is paid during the year in four installments. Bookkeeper works out the amounts that avoid an underpayment penalty from this return{% if fed.prior_rate > 1 %} (110% of your {{ year }} federal tax, because your {{ year }} AGI was over the limit){% endif %}.

{% for d in fed.due_dates %}{% set n = loop.index0 %} {% for p in [fed, ct] %}{% endfor %} {% endfor %}
DueFederal (Form 1040-ES)Connecticut (Form CT-1040ES)
{{ d.strftime('%B') }} {{ d.day }}, {{ d.year }}{% if p and p.needed %}{{ usd(p.installments[n].pay) }}{% else %}—{% endif %}
Total to send{{ usd(fed.total) }}{{ usd(ct.total if ct else 0) }}
{% for p, label in [(fed, 'Federal'), (ct, 'Connecticut')] if p and not p.needed %}

{{ label }}: no estimated payments needed. {{ p.reason }}

{% endfor %} {% endif %}

Before you sign

{% endblock %}