Instructions

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to help U.S. taxpayers calculate their own federal income tax returns. The spreadsheet attempts to perform the mechanics of tax preparation (i.e. 'do the math') in accordance with IRS forms and instructions. 

2. This spreadsheet is designed for taxpayers who are capable of preparing their own federal income tax returns. Users of this spreadsheet must know what information needs to be entered and where to enter it. Users of this spreadsheet must also be sufficiently familiar with the IRS forms and instructions that apply to their tax return in order to detect and correct any and all user and spreadsheet errors that might occur. Although some error checking is included, this spreadsheet will not prevent you from making mistakes.

3. The user must assume full responsibility as to the correctness and appropriateness of any and all amounts entered and results produced.
   Be sure to use current copies of actual IRS forms and instructions when validating the spreadsheet's results. IRS forms and instructions: https://www.irs.gov/downloads/irs-pdf

4. It is vitally important that all spreadsheet users promptly report any error(s) they find so that the spreadsheet can be corrected.
   Please report errors to: incometaxspreadsheet@gmail.com.

GENERAL NOTES:

1. Unprotected data entry cells have a light blue fill color. Cells containing calculated amounts are usually protected and have a darker blue fill color. Form and worksheet areas are protected. However, users are able to adjust printing properties.

2. "Manual override" cells are available for many calculated cells.  The use of override cells is discouraged because manual overrides can defeat the spreadsheet's automatic updating feature.  If you are having to use a manual override because of a spreadsheet error, be sure to report the error as soon as possible.  NOTE:  To clear data from an override cell, highlight it and then press the <Delete> key. Do not press the <space> bar because, although it is invisible, the <space> character is treated the same as any visible character.

3. To check a checkbox, simply type an 'X' (any character will work) in the box and press <Enter>. NOTE:  To clear an 'X' from an checkbox,  highlight it and then press the <Delete> key. Do not press the <space> bar because, although it is invisible, the <space> character is treated the same as any visible character.

4. To remove colors from all forms and worksheets, place an 'X' in Cell AK2 on the '1040' sheet.

5. To hide social security numbers from all forms and worksheets, place an 'X' in Cell AK3 on the '1040' sheet.

6. If using copy/paste to copy information from another source, be sure to paste using 'Paste-Values.' Otherwise, cell properties could be inadvertently changed.  (e.g. A normally unprotected cell could become protected.)

7. DO NOT DELETE UNUSED SHEETS.  This spreadsheet employs references and links that tie one sheet to one or more other sheets which ultimately feed to the Form 1040.  Deleting any sheet will most likely cause the spreadsheet to completely stop functioning.

8. On Form 1040 and the DEPENDENTS sheet, to save time, it's generally okay to enter alternate information (e.g. SSN = 111-22-3333).
   However, be aware, to perform an accurate tax calculation, the spreadsheet will need reasonably accurate birthdate, 
   accurate state of residence, and a valid (but not necessarily actual) SSN.  Don't leave these cells blank.
   
   

 INSTRUCTIONS: HINT: Recommend regularly checking and saving your spreadsheet as you make changes.

On Sheet  '1040'

1. Enter all of the information required for Form 1040, Page 1.

2. Enter your birthdate and, if filing Married - Filing Jointly or Married - Filing Separately, enter your spouse's birthdate.

On Sheet 'W-2s'

3. Enter any employment income reported to you on Form W-2.

On Sheet '1099-INT'

4. Enter any interest income reported to you on Form 1099-INT. (Interest income information will automatically appear on Schedule B, Line 1.)

On Sheet '1099-DIV'

5. Enter any dividend income reported on Form 1099-DIV. (Dividend income information will automatically appear on Schedule B, Line 5.)

On Sheet '1099-R'

6. Enter any IRA/pension/annuity income reported to you on Form 1099-R.  Be sure to enter 'IRA', 'P/A', or 'CONV' at the top of each row to let the spreadsheet know if the income is from an Individual Retirement Account, Pension/Annuity, or Conversion (from an IRA to a Roth IRA).

On Sheet 'SSA-1099'

7. Enter any Social Security income reported to you on Form SSA-1099.

8. Begin a careful, line-by-line, review of the sheet labeled '1040'.  If additional information is needed for a particular line, then look for a sheet associated with that line (e.g. For line 10, Qualified Business Income Deduction, use Sheet '8995'.) to determine if additional information needs to be entered. 

9. Review every tab to determine its applicability to your tax return and make sure each sheet is completed.
   NOTE: You may change the tab color by right-mouse clicking on the tab. 
   NOTE: You may click and drag sheet tabs to be arranged in any order you desire. Doing so will not affect the function of the spreadsheet.

10. Recommend printing your return and reviewing the printed copy against actual IRS forms and instructions.

11. Transfer results to an electronic filing service or hard copies of the forms. 

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS for LibreOffice Users:

To save a copy of this spreadsheet in .ods format, perform the following steps:

1) Load the spreadsheet as an .xlsx file, then save it as an .fods file.

2) Close the .fods file. Then re-open the .fods file.

3) Save the .fods file as an .ods file.   

4) Close the .ods file.  Then, re-open the .ods file.