Fill out Form 1040-SR (U.S. Tax Return for Seniors) online
Form 1040-SR is an alternative to the standard Form 1040, designed for taxpayers age 65 and older. It features larger print, a built-in standard deduction chart, and the same lines and schedules as the regular 1040.
How to fill out Form 1040-SR (U.S. Tax Return for Seniors)
Enter your personal information
Fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and filing status. The form is identical in layout to Form 1040 but with larger type for easier reading.
Report your income
Enter wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, interest, dividends, and capital gains. Use the built-in chart to determine how much of your Social Security is taxable.
Claim your standard deduction
Use the standard deduction chart printed on the form to find the correct amount for your filing status and age. Taxpayers 65 and older receive a higher standard deduction than younger filers.
Calculate tax, credits, and payments
Determine your tax using the tax tables or worksheets. Subtract credits such as the Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (Schedule R), then report withholding and estimated payments to calculate your refund or amount owed.
About Form 1040-SR (U.S. Tax Return for Seniors)
Who needs this form
U.S. citizens and resident aliens who are age 65 or older by the end of the tax year. Any senior taxpayer can use this form regardless of income type or amount, though it is not required -- seniors may also use the standard Form 1040.
Where to submit
File electronically through IRS e-file or an authorized tax software provider. If filing by mail, send to the IRS address listed in the form instructions for your state.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Check the latest official form instructions for the filing year that applies to you.
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not using the higher standard deduction amount available to taxpayers 65 and older
- Forgetting to report all sources of retirement income (pensions, Social Security, IRA distributions)
- Not checking whether Social Security benefits are partially taxable based on combined income
- Missing the additional standard deduction for being blind
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Is Form 1040-SR required for seniors?
No. Form 1040-SR is optional. Taxpayers age 65 and older can choose to file either Form 1040-SR or the standard Form 1040. Both forms calculate tax the same way and use the same schedules. The 1040-SR simply offers larger print and a built-in standard deduction chart for convenience.
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