what is an IRS 1040 form?

my parents file their taxes every year by going to a person that help people file their taxes. And this year i am filing fafsa for the first time and it ask my parents information that is on the irs 1040 form. But my parents are going to file for their taxes for this year until mid february because they are waiting for their W-2 then they going to the same person that help them file for their taxes every year. so my question is does that person that help my parents fill out their taxes will he also fill out an irs 1040 for for my parents and will it have all of my parents on it because i need it for a section on fafsa. If he does fill out an irs 1040 form will my parents get a copy of the irs 1040 form for their records because i need an 1040 form to help me filled out a section on my parents income because on fafsa they will ask for information on my parent's 1040 forms. if parents don't get a copy of their 1040 forms from that person for their record can my parents ask that person for a copy of the irs 1040 form with all their information on it

Public Comments

1. a tax form for the owners of the household
2. The taxes are done on the 1040. That is the form that the IRS has all US citizens use.
3. Yes, the preparer will give them a copy of their 1040 to take home.
4. I'm an accountant who just filled out a FAFSA for my daughter. For the year coming up (starting 2009), FAFSA asked for information we got off our 2008 1040 form - it's really easy - just get a copy of the 1040, which your parents and parents' tax preparer should have - if they don't it's time to look for a different preparer - and look for the figures they ask for, on lines 37, line 8, etc. FAFSA also wants to know current status, like how much they have right now in the bank, what their assets/liabilities are (car, house, etc. - what they're worth and what is owed on them), but it's hard to get an exact figure for that, just an estimate is fine. Remember, you have to file a new FAFSA form each year, so when you and/or your parents get their 2009 taxes done, you should put a copy in your FAFSA file so it's easy to look it up a year from now.
5. Why not? Every tax-preparer should give their clients the copies of their return every year even the clients forget to ask for. For filing fafsa, yes, Form 1040 has enough information you need The tax-preparer will give your parent the copy for sure. If he or she doesn't, there should be a mental problem.
6. 1. He probably uses an IRS Form 1040. In the unlikely event that he uses a different IRS form, such as 1040A or 1040EZ, you can use a copy of that form for the FAFSA. 2. He should give them a copy for their records. If he does not, then they probably should not be using him, but that is another discussion. 3. Whether or not he gives them a copy, they can obtain a copy from the IRS for a fee. However, this only makes sense if he refuses to give them a copy, since it should be faster (and probably free) to obtain a copy from him.
7. The 1040 or 1040A IS the form that is filled out for their taxes. Additional forms might be included also, but that's the main one and they'll have that for sure.