Does Everyone Need a Schedule 1 Tax Form?

Filing taxes involves various forms, and one that often causes confusion is Schedule 1. This form reports specific types of income and adjustments not directly listed on Form 1040. Some taxpayers must include it, while others may not need it. Whether you require Schedule 1 depends on your financial situation.

Who Usually Needs This Form

Taxpayers with income beyond standard wages often need Schedule 1. Self-employed individuals report business income and expenses here, with details from Schedule C. Gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors also use this form, as they typically receive 1099s instead of W-2s.

Investors and landlords frequently file Schedule 1. Rental income, reported on Schedule E, connects to this form, as do capital gains or losses from selling stocks, bonds, or real estate. Those earning income from partnerships, S corporations, or trusts must also file it, as these earnings appear on Schedule K-1.

Certain deductions require Schedule 1. Educators claiming the $300 classroom expense deduction, individuals paying student loan interest, and those making contributions to a traditional IRA outside of an employer-sponsored plan report these adjustments here. Alimony payments from pre-2019 divorce agreements must also be included.

Income and Adjustments Reported

Schedule 1 captures income not listed directly on Form 1040. Unemployment compensation, which remains federally taxable, must be reported. If you received benefits from your state’s unemployment program, the total appears on Form 1099-G.

Certain government payments also fall under this form. Taxable refunds, credits, or offsets of state and local income taxes must be reported unless you claimed the standard deduction in the prior year. Jury duty pay must also be included. If you handed over this compensation to your employer because they continued your salary during jury service, you can deduct the same amount.

Hobby income, unlike business earnings, lacks a profit motive and must be reported. While hobby-related expenses are no longer deductible, any income from selling crafts or occasional consulting work must be included. Gambling winnings, including those from casinos, lotteries, or online betting, are taxable and must be reported in full, even if losses were incurred.

Reasons You May Not Need It

Many taxpayers don’t need Schedule 1 because their income and deductions are already accounted for on Form 1040. Those earning solely from W-2 wages typically fall into this category, as their taxable earnings, federal income tax withholding, and payroll taxes are reported directly on their W-2. If there are no additional income sources such as dividends, business earnings, or taxable government benefits, Schedule 1 is unnecessary.

Deductions also determine whether this form is needed. Taxpayers who take the standard deduction—$14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly in 2024—generally do not claim adjustments requiring Schedule 1. Many above-the-line deductions, such as those for student loan interest or IRA contributions, only apply to those who meet specific eligibility requirements. If these don’t apply, there’s no need to complete the form.

Steps for Obtaining the Form

Schedule 1 is available through multiple sources. The IRS website offers a downloadable PDF for electronic or manual completion. Tax preparation software, such as TurboTax and H&R Block, automatically generates Schedule 1 if required. Tax professionals also include the form in the filing process.

Paper filers can request a copy by calling the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676), though mailing times may cause delays. Some public libraries and post offices stock common IRS forms during tax season, though availability varies. If filing an amended return to correct previously unreported income or adjustments, Schedule 1 must be attached to Form 1040-X, with all changes clearly indicated.