Simplification is a Good Thing

The primary tax form used by millions of Americans, the 1040, will be getting a new look, according to a recent USA Today article. The form undergoes minor changes every tax year, but has not seen a major revision in almost 30 years.

The new 1040 is supposed to be shorter than the current 77-line version with less used lines and worksheets moved to the new Schedule O. The IRS hopes to have the new form in use by 2009, but indicated there may be a possible delay due to budget issues within the agency.

Truly, though, the IRS wants the American people not to know about the 1040 change - they are encouraging online tax filing, a method that does not require paper forms and in which most people never see the actual tax form filed on their behalf (via tax software or tax preparers).