If you mailed your individual tax return (Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) or amended tax return (Form 1040-X Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) in the past, you may be used to assembling all supporting forms, stapling them to the return, and then mailing the entire package to the IRS.
When you file electronically (e-file), you don't need to attach many of those supporting forms.
For example, if you received Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement listing wages and tips for the tax year, you don't need to attach a copy to your e-filed return. You should, however, print your tax return and all related forms to keep in your personal records.
When you e-file an amended return (Form 1040-X), your entire revised Form 1040 is included in the submission. This acts as the record of change and eliminates the need to attach many of the supplemental forms you would staple to a mailed submission.
At times, special tax situations may necessitate supporting documentation. When you e-file, TaxAct will prompt you for any required documents you would need to attach.
Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the document at the time it is accessed.