Let's break down the concepts involved in preparing a federal tax return, using the Redlin family's situation as an example$\mathrm{.}1.$ Understanding Federal Tax ReturnsA federal tax return is a form filed with the Internal Revenue Service $($IRS$)$ to report income, calculate tax liability, and claim any applicable credits and deductions. Individuals and families are typically required to file a tax return annually, reporting their earnings and tax obligations$\mathrm{.}2.$ Filing StatusThe filing status determines the tax rates that apply to an individual or family. Common filing statuses include:$*$ Single