<prompt> Human: For the last 4 or 5 years I have worked as a contract worker from home doing IT work. Some companies I have done work for has given me a 1099. Some have not. I have not filed state or federal taxes for 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014. After missing one year due to lack of income and complexity of living in multiple states, cash jobs, etc the following year was difficult to file, then after that it just became an overwhelming mess I didnt want to deal with. Since all my income goes to my bank and paypal I was hoping one day Id just receive notice from the IRS with a total due or notice they were going to start garnishing my wages or something.So. For the last two years I was working for a large company as a contract worker and was laid off in June and decided it was time to start working a proper job. Applied, interviewed, and got accepted for a good position with my State. After I turned in more paperwork I got a call saying that I need to work with the Department of Revenue to file as I can not work for the job I got hired for until I file.So, I have printed off the IT-40EZ and 1040EZ for these years. Im aware and accept the fact I owe a lot of money, but had questions on how I can expect this to play out.I can not afford an accountant now, so I am doing this all on my own with very little instruction or knowledge and filing in an urgent manner.In 2014 I earned about 37,000. 22,000 from a contract job and 15,000 doing sidework with no 1099 available for this. After filing my 1040EZ I owe just shy of 5,000 for one year alone. That seems a bit high to me. I have no idea how on earth I am supposed to write things off since I have worked from home, I was told things like itnernet, cellphone, computer, food and other stuff I had to buy to work could be written off. True? How do I do this?Im so fucking lost right now and fear that I am going to end up overpaying by a significant amount because it is URGENT that I get this in mail immediately and get it filed otherwise I will not be able to work this great job. I start the job on the 14th so only have 9 more days to file...Im a single dude, no dependants, flaky reporting of income due to doing work for random companies, some of which gave me a 1099 and some that did not. All money has been directly deposited into my bank or into PayPal so even if no 1099 exists, a record of the money does in these accounts.I have less than a couple hundred dollars to my name right now and can not afford an accountant. I just need to get this filed so I can proceed with my new job and start being properly paid as a proper employee instead of a contract worker.Assistant: I have no idea how on earth I am supposed to write things off since I have worked from home, I was told things like itnernet, cellphone, computer, food and other stuff I had to buy to work could be written off. True? How do I do this?First, a caution: be very careful with these, because the IRS tends to view such deductions as ripe for abuse. Dont take any that you cant support with good documentation or that you cant substantiate as being legal according to the IRS rules.Second, you wont be able to take those with a 1040EZ. I think you need to file the full 1040, though Im not 100 sure that you cant do it with the 1040A. You should be looking at some combination of Schedule C and Schedule SE; those are used for business and self-employment income.Third, the IRS offers payment plans. You will presumably need to take advantage of those. I dont know how to set those up or qualify or whatnot.Finally, dont take any of this as tax advice; Im not a CPA or lawyer.Human: Thanks. Due to the urgency Ill just complete the 1040EZs then. I understand I may overpay, and probably rightfully so. I should pay into the system.I just want to get this resolved so I can move forward. Luckily taxes in the future will be easier since Ill be issued a W2 like most people at my new job.  <response>: No, YOU CANNOT FILE 1040EZ because all your income is Schedule C 1099s and didnt-get-1099s. You must use:Schedule C-EZ or C -- to list all your inflow and if you have records deduct business expenses see Publication 535 on Business Expenses. Use Sched C if your expenses were over 5K. The home office deduction is highly audited and could only be used if you had a space you used exclusively for your business.Schedule SE -- to calculate the self-employment tax that goes to Medicare and Social Security. That alone is over 5000 on your 37K year. SE tax Schedule C profit 0.9235 0.153.Form 1040 -- put Sched C-EZ result on line 12, SE tax result on line 57, and deduct 12 SE tax on line 27. Work through to calculate income tax. You get to deduct around 10000 off your income right away standard deduction and personal exemption, and rest of income is taxed at 10 and 15 in your example. See Tax Table in 1040 instructions after youve computed taxable income.For each year you need to download the forms and instructions for the specific year, because a few numbers change and you must submit the correct forms. See IRS Prior Forms and Publications page.The IRS will allow you to set up payment arrangement. In your case you will probably need an Installment Agreement, which costs a little to set up but can spread the payment out over many months.Does your job require you to file for all the years? Federal and state? This will take some effort.Its possible to file with no expenses written in, then later amend your taxes if you are able to substantiate expenses. You will have to describe your income when you apply for an Installment Agreement, so that ll have to be in future anyway.2014: someone earning 37K in self employment owes: 5227 in SE tax and 3180 in income tax 8407. And thats just federal taxes, not state taxes. :- 