Is it just me or is the new "Postcard" 1040 the ugliest looking form you've ever seen? Really idiotic.

[FTAX]

The historic 10-ez, which the majority of filers could you, COULD have been put on a postcard. But, of course, that wound' t be too smart, in the age of identity theft.

So, now we have this 'pretend' postcard, with six new schedules (1-6) that is extremely had to read.

Ridiculous.

[TaxMonkey · Accepted solution]

Literally the most absurd thing I have seen from the IRS, and that covers a lot of territory.

[abctax55]

Is the IRS really the one to blame?

[TaxMonkey]

No probably not, just the messenger of someone else's idea.

[abctax55]

"...of someone else's idea"
Of someone else's REALLY BAD idea

[IRonMaN]

:no_mouth:

[abctax55]

@IRonMaN --- priceless

[IRonMaN]

:smile:

[rbynaker]

I'm blaming the IRS.  But now we have a solid precedent that the IRS can wildly change the tax forms based on a whim of anyone in their chain of command.  So I'm sure that'll be a lot of fun going forward.

[FTAX]

I suspect making the 1040 “postcard” sized was put into the language of the bill, so the writers can say they kept their promise of a postcard tax form. Even so, it’s almost as if IRS resented the mandate and set out to make the forms aweful on purpose.   However, having said that, “tax simplification “that results in more complicated forms can’t be bad for business.

[rbynaker]

Meh, I wouldn't exactly mind if they simplified me out of business at this point.

Rick

[IRonMaN]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  In this case, the beholder was legally blind.

[itonewbie]

:heart_eyes:

[TAXOH]

Agree!

[itonewbie]

Not to mention this is a real tree-killer if filed on paper.

[rbynaker]

Even if efiled, the client copies are a tree-killer.  Most of my clients still get paper copies of their returns.  So now we have more paper and the flow of information is much more difficult to explain to the few clients who actually want to try to understand their tax returns.  But let's face it, most just want to know how much the refund or balance due is.  "Where do I sign" is a distant second place (and best I can tell that's still going to be on the 8879).

[itonewbie]

Sign next to the mustard stain, according to Letterman's Top 10 :joy:

[George4Tacks]

I plan on using the 16 up (i.e. 16 pages per side of paper) and two sided printing. That way I can get 32 "postcards" on one sheet of paper. I know there is no global warming, but I just priced a ream of paper and no way am I gonna waste that much paper on a client copy. I tried to scan my first print, but the print is bit faint for scanning. I will will invest in a small plastic magnifier to give out with each return. If found them for about 10¢ each on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Johouse-Magnifying-Colorful-Explorer-Detective/dp/B076Z9SCQY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=U...

[mojocpa]

The draft instructions I read say that for paper filing you print off the 1040 and the applicable schedules, and cut the 2 1040 pages to the applicable post card length. Then put the 1040 pages back to back with the printed side out and scotch tape three of the sides leaving one side untaped. Then you cut the schedules leaving only the printed information, insert the schedules between the 2 1040 pages and scotch tape the 1040 shut. Affix the proper postage and mail to the Bone, Idaho IRS service center.

[IRonMaN]

You read it wrong:
"Then you cut the schedules leaving only the printed information, insert the schedules between the 2 1040 pages and scotch tape the 1040 shut" and then throw it in the garbage.

[rbynaker]

The good news if you're mailing it in, you no longer need all the extra certified mail, return receipt fees, you can just send it in with a postcard stamp, right?  That's the real benefit!

[George4Tacks]

It does appear that the old format might be acceptable https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1167.pdf See the exhibits at the end. I guess we will just have to wait and see.