You may be a taxpayer who prefers to have a professional prepare his or her tax returns; you may be a computer proficient, in which case the tax software you use automatically chooses the best form for your particular situation; or you may be a do-it-yourself, pen to paper taxpayer.

As a general rule, the simplest tax form for your needs is the best choice. This usually saves time in preparing the return, and also allows the IRS to process the tax return more quickly.

While all the personal income tax forms are designed to get the appropriate amount of your money to the IRS, the differences in these returns could cost you if you're not well informed.

The IRS tax forms range from simple to complex. The simplest form, also known as the shortest form, is the 1040EZ. The 1040A and the 1040 are designed for more complex tax returns.

There are rules and limits for each tax form. The form with the most limitations on what can be filed on a return is the 1040EZ. This one page long form is very simple so filing is quick and easy.

You can use Form 1040EZ if:

Your filing status is single or married filing jointly.

You have no dependents.

You're younger than 65; your spouse also must meet the age requirements if you file a joint return. If you or your spouse's 65th birthday is Jan. 1, then for filing purposes you are considered to have turned 65 last year and therefore cannot file this form.

You (or your spouse if filing jointly) were not legally blind during the last tax year.

Your income, or combined incomes for joint filers, is less than $100,000.

Your interest income is less than $1,500.

You must have income only from wages, salaries, tips, taxable scholarships and fellowship grants, unemployment compensation, qualified state tuition program earnings or Alaska Permanent Fund dividends.

You did not receive the Advance Earned Income Credit or make adjustments to your income (such as medical or student loan interest deductions), do not plan to claim any credits and are not claiming the additional standard deduction for age or blindness.

You intend to claim only the Earned Income Credit.

With all the restrictions for filing Form 1040EZ, it is no wonder that most taxpayers qualify to use Form 1040A, often called the "short form." This form allows you to claim the most common adjustments to income.

You can use Form 1040A if:

Your total income (no matter the filing status) is under $100,000.

You are any age, with any filing status (including dependents).

You have income only from wages, salaries, tips, taxable scholarships and fellowship grants, interest, ordinary dividends, capital gain distributions, pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, unemployment compensation, taxable Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, taxable scholarship and fellowship grants or Alaska Permanent Fund dividends.

With 1040A:

You can claim some adjustments to income, like the penalty for early withdrawal of savings, IRA contributions, student loan interest, and jury duty pay given to your employer.

You can claim the following tax credits: child and dependent care credit, credit for the elderly and disabled, education credits, retirement savings contributions credit, child tax credit, and earned income credit.

You cannot itemize deductions.

Form 1040 is the standard federal individual income tax form; with this form your tax return is free from restrictions.

The 1040 tax form is like the base form, it includes a summary of your income and tax computations. All deductions and credits are calculated on various schedules which get attached to it.

Any taxpayer can use Form 1040. Even though it takes longer to fill out, Form 1040 can handle any tax situation no matter how complex.

You must file Form 1040 when:

You have income of $100,000 or more;

You are itemizing your deductions;

You have income from a rental, business, farm, S-corporation, partnership, or trust;

You have foreign wages, paid foreign taxes, or are claiming tax treaty benefits;

You sold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or property;

You owe household employment taxes;

You are claiming adjustments to income for educator expenses, tuition and fees, moving expenses, or health savings accounts.

Bottom line, if you have any doubt about what form to choose, use Form 1040, you cannot go wrong by using this tax form. With Form 1040 you can get the lowest tax by having the most possibility for credits.