As others have said, to make the 1040 u201cpostcardu201d size, many lines were moved to one of 6 schedules. No lines were actually removed from the process since most of the things on those lines still apply to someone (a few are u201creservedu201d lines for things that do not currently apply).I think the u201cmore complicatedu201d part comes from having less information on the 1040 itself. Under the previous, longer form, if you did a calculation on a schedule or form, the net/total amount would be carried forward clearly to the 1040. The next bit of arithmetic would then be clear (e.g., subtract line 10 from line 9). Now we have:Parts of the information on the 1040 in the right-hand column (like total earned income)Parts are on the 1040 in the central notes and instructions section (like EIC or Child Tax Credit)Parts only show on the new numbered schedule (especially Schedule 1, additions and adjustments to income)Places where things are added/subtracted only have a net figure, but often not the amount that was added/subtracted.If you file using electronic software, as many of us do, the math part done automatically. However, as we review the forms to see if they make sense, things are not as clear as they were. I would have preferred more lines that do not apply than missing lines that do apply.If you file on paper, the new process has taken something that fit compactly on 2 sheets of paper and printed it on 8 pieces with less information on each. If you file electronically, the 8 parts are printed more compactly, but still need at least 2 sheets and usually 3 or more even when those sheets contain no useful information at allu2026