Final answer:
A Form 10-K is a comprehensive document filed annually with the SEC by publicly traded companies. It includes detailed financial statements, risk assessments, and management's discussion and analysis, which are essential for investors to evaluate a company's financial health.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Form 10-K is b) A document filed with the SEC by companies selling securities to the public, containing much of the same information as the annual report as well as additional detail. Specifically, it provides a comprehensive overview of a company's financial health and business operations over the past fiscal year. It includes information such as financial statements, risk factors, market information, and management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition.
The significance of the Form 10-K lies in its use as a critical source of information for investors and analysts. It is part of the disclosure requirements by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which ensures transparency in the financial markets. This SEC filing is mandatory for all publicly traded companies and plays a crucial role in maintaining investor confidence.
When it comes to tax forms, it's important to differentiate between those relevant for individual responsibility, such as the 1040 tax form, and ones that relate to corporate disclosure and fiscal policy, like the Form 10-K. The 1040 form is an individual income tax return form, which reflects changes that can affect the economy on various scales. However, they serve different purposes and are filed with different entities; the 1040 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Form 10-K with the SEC.