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Instructions for Form 1040NR-EZ 2006 Tax Year

Instructions for Form 1040NR-EZ - Notices

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2006 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.


We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. Sections 6001, 6011, 6012(a) and their regulations require that you give us information. We need the information to ensure that you are complying with these laws and to allow us to figure and collect the right amount of tax. Section 6109 requires paid return preparers to provide their identifying number.

This notice applies to all papers you file with us, including this tax return. It also applies to any questions we need to ask you so we can complete, correct, or process your return; figure your tax; and collect tax, interest, or penalties.

You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law.

Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103. However, section 6103 allows or requires the Internal Revenue Service to disclose or give the information you write on your tax return to others as described in the Code. For example, we may disclose your tax information to the Department of Justice, to enforce the tax laws, both civil and criminal, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, U.S. commonwealths or possessions, and certain foreign governments to carry out their tax laws. We may disclose your tax information to the Department of Treasury and contractors for tax administration purposes; and to other persons as necessary to obtain information that we cannot get in any other way in order to determine the amount of or to collect the tax you owe. We may disclose your tax information to the Comptroller General of the United States to permit the Comptroller General to review the Internal Revenue Service. We may disclose your tax information to Committees of Congress; federal, state, and local child support agencies; and to other federal agencies for purposes of determining entitlement for benefits or the eligibility for and the repayment of loans. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.

Keep this notice with your records. It may help you if we ask you for other information. If you have any questions about the rules for filing and giving information, call or visit any Internal Revenue Service office.

We welcome comments on forms. If you have comments or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can email us at *taxforms@irs.gov. (The asterisk must be included in the address.) Please put “Forms Comment” on the subject line. Or you can write to the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Products Coordinating Committee, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6406, Washington, DC 20224. Do not send your return to this address. Instead, see Where To File on page 2.

Estimates of taxpayer burden. The table below shows average burden estimates for taxpayers filing a Form 1040NR-EZ. Time spent and out-of-pocket costs are estimated separately. Out-of-pocket costs include any expenses incurred by taxpayers to prepare and submit their tax returns. Examples of out-of-pocket costs include tax return preparation and submission fees, postage, tax preparation software costs, photocopying costs, and phone calls (if not toll-free).

Both time and cost burdens are national averages and do not necessarily reflect a “typical” case. The averages include all associated forms and schedules, across all preparation methods and all taxpayer activities. Within each of these estimates, there is significant variation in taxpayer activity. Similarly, tax preparation fees vary extensively depending on the taxpayer's tax situation and issues, the type of professional preparer, and the geographic area.

The data shown are the best estimates available as of September 25, 2006, from tax returns filed for 2005. The method used to estimate taxpayer burden incorporates results from a taxpayer burden survey conducted in 2000 and 2001. The estimates are subject to change as new forms and data become available. The estimates do not include burden associated with post-filing activities. However, operational IRS data indicate that electronically prepared returns have fewer errors, implying a lower overall post-filing burden.

If you have comments concerning the time and cost estimates below, you can contact us at either one of the addresses shown under We welcome comments on forms on this page.

Estimated Average Taxpayer Burden

The average time and costs required to complete and file Form 1040NR-EZ, its schedules, and accompanying forms will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated averages are:
Average Time Burden (Hours) Average Cost (Dollars)
10.6 $8

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