Form 1040-SR is designed to be easier on the eyes and to give greater prominence to tax benefits specific to seniors.

• Most importantly, a higher standard deduction is available to seniors who do not itemize.
• Taxpayers who were at least age 65 by the end of 2020 can add at least $1,300 to the standard deduction.

What is the advantage of using 1040-SR?

The 1040-SR makes it easy to report retirement income from Social Security, pensions and retirement account withdrawals. The 1040-SR points out the increased standard deduction available to taxpayers age 65 and older. The short, two-page form has senior-friendly features including larger font and bigger text boxes.

What is the purpose of IRS Form 1040-SR?

The form allows income reporting from other sources common to seniors such as investment income, Social Security and distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities or similar deferred-payment arrangements. Seniors can use Form 1040-SR to file their 2019 federal income tax return, which is due April 15, 2020.

What are the benefits of filing Form 1040 SR?

Benefits of Form 1040-SR . Many seniors were forced to file the more complicated Form 1040 in past years simply by virtue of the nature of their retirement incomes. The IRS provided Form 1040-EZ through 2017 to make the process easier, but this form limited overall income to $100,000 and interest income to $1,500 annually.  

How old do you have to be to use the 1040 SR?

The 1040-SR is a new simple tax form for seniors, similar to the the now defunct 1040-EZ. You’ll need to be 65 and older to use it, among other requirements. The 1040-SR is a new simple tax form for seniors, similar to the the now defunct 1040-EZ. You’ll need to be 65 and older to use it, among other requirements.

What’s the difference between the old and new 1040 SR forms?

For those who remember the old 1040-EZ return, the newly created 1040-SR will look familiar. Unlike the 1040-EZ, the 1040-SR does involve front and back sides, but the style and formatting bears a close resemblance to the old form. Image source: IRS. The new form features some senior-friendly features:

Can you use Form 1040 if you are not yet 65?

Those who are not yet 65 and who have Social Security income, pension income, or other forms of retirement income can’t use Form 1040-SR because of the age requirement; and because Form 1040-EZ doesn’t include Social Security and pension income, they can’t use that, either.