Which federal tax form is typically used for individual income tax returns?

The correct answer is Form 1040, which is the standard federal tax form used by individual taxpayers to report their income, claim deductions and credits, and calculate their tax liability. This form is pivotal for filing individual income tax returns and accommodates a wide range of income sources and various tax situations.

Form 1040 allows taxpayers to take advantage of deductions, such as those for mortgage interest or student loan interest, and to claim tax credits that can reduce their overall tax bill. It can also be used for supplementary schedules to report additional income or adjustments. This versatility makes it the primary form for most individual taxpayers in the United States.

In contrast, Form 1065 is used for partnerships to report income, deductions, gains, and losses, and files an informational return rather than individual income taxes. Form 1099 is typically used to report various types of income other than wages and salaries, such as freelance work or interest income, but is not a complete tax return itself. Form 990 is primarily for tax-exempt organizations to provide information on their financial status and activities to the IRS and is not applicable for individual income tax reporting.