Skip to main content

Attention Seniors: New Form 1040-SR

New Form 1040-SR, alternative filing option available for seniors!

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service wants seniors to know about the availability of a new tax form, Form 1040-SR, featuring larger print and a standard deduction chart with a goal of making it easier for older Americans to read and use.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 required the IRS to create a tax form for seniors. Taxpayers age 65 or older now have the option to use Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors. Form 1040-SR, when printed, features larger font and better readability.

Taxpayers who electronically file Form 1040-SR may notice the change when they print their return. More than 90% of taxpayers now use tax software to prepare and file their tax return.

Taxpayers born before Jan. 2, 1955, have the option to file Form 1040-SR whether they are working, not working or retired. 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. All lines and check boxes on Form 1040-SR mirror the Form 1040, and both forms use all the same attached schedules and forms. The revised 2019 Instructions cover both Forms 1040 and 1040-SR.

Eligible taxpayers can use Form 1040-SR whether they plan to itemize or take the standard deduction. Taxpayers who itemize deductions can file Form 1040-SR and attach Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, when filing a paper return. For those taking the standard deduction, Form 1040-SR includes a chart listing the standard deduction amounts, making it easier to calculate. It also ensures seniors are aware of the increased standard deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older.

Married people filing a joint return can use the Form 1040-SR regardless of whether one or both spouses are age 65 or older or retired. 

Both the 1040 and the 1040-SR use the same “building block” approach introduced last year that can be supplemented with additional Schedules 1, 2 and 3 as needed. Many taxpayers with basic tax situations can file Form 1040 or 1040-SR with no additional schedules.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stimulus Check Information

Customers who use tax preparation services such as H&R Block, TurboTax and Jackson Hewitt complained on Twitter and to The Post that they didn’t get their stimulus payments Wednesday. Up to 21 million tax filers could be affected, said consumer law expert Vijay Raghavan, because the IRS does not have these people’s direct deposit information on file if they received an advance on their tax refund from these companies or had the fee for tax preparation taken out of their tax refund. The reason is that tax preparation companies received these people’s tax refunds first, deducted their fees and then distributed the remaining refunds to the customers. Because of that, the IRS had a “temporary bank account” on file that the tax preparer created for the 2019 tax season, Raghavan said.
Post a Comment
Read more

THURSDAY TAX TIDBITS

IRS Announces Major Changes to Form W-4! Earlier this week the IRS and Treasury Department announced that the major changes for Form W-4 are to be delayed until the tax year 2020. These changes were planned to be made in 2019, however, after sharing the drafted version, the  IRS and Treasury Department listened to feedback and decided to postpone the changes. Minor changes will be made to the 2019 W-4, but it will remain largely consistent with the present draft.  In the meantime, it is important for individuals to learn how these changes may impact their personal finances. The IRS encourages taxpayers to use  the paycheck checkup at  https://www.irs.gov/payments/tax-withholding  and  review their withholding situation. By doing so, you can ensure withholding is not under-withheld or over-withheld. If under-withheld, there is a chance of having to pay taxes at the end of the year or receiving a smaller refund. Don't ignore this issue u ntil it is tax season.  For more questi
Post a Comment
Read more

THURSDAY TAX TIDBITS

Tax Tip: Start Planning Ahead! It is never too early to start thinking about the upcoming tax season. Don't procrastinate and be prepared for the tax reform changes that have been implemented this year. Under the Trump Administration, there have been several tax changes that may impact you or your business. Here are some changes that may impact you: Tax Reform: Business Impact There are many business considerations, including the corporate tax rate, limitations on net interest expense, full expensing of business assets, changes to net operating loss deductions, limitation of like-kind exchanges, limitation on deductibility of FDIC premiums, corporate alternative minimum tax, rules for recognition of income, changes to business tax credit, the modified limit on excessive compensation, and the modified deduction for meals and elimination of entertainment expenses. Not being able to claim the same expenses as before may lead to higher taxes! Tax Reform: Individual Impact Indiv
Post a Comment
Read more