What is the main IRS form that most Americans use to file their taxes?

Most Americans use Form 1040 to file their taxes, making it the primary form utilized for individual income tax returns. This form is designed to gather essential information about an individual’s income, deductions, and credits, allowing taxpayers to calculate their total tax liability or refund.

Form 1040 serves as a standard document that supports various filing situations, accommodating a wide range of taxpayers from those with simple tax situations to those with more complex financial circumstances. It enables taxpayers to report income from numerous sources, such as wages, interest, dividends, and business income, as well as claim credits and deductions that can reduce their taxable income.

In contrast, other forms listed serve different roles in the tax process. Form I-9 is used for verifying employment eligibility in the U.S., Form 1099-DIV reports dividends and distributions, and Schedule C is a supplementary form for reporting income or loss from a business operated by a sole proprietor. None of these forms serve as the primary tax return form for the majority of individual taxpayers.