Seniors: We are getting our tax Form 1040 SR

IRS ^ | 2019 | IRS

[mass55th]

It doesn’t look much different from the form I filed out last year. I’m single, take the standard deduction, have no dependents, no income other than pension and social security. As long as it’s one double-sided sheet, I’ll be happy.

[rktman]

50%? You found a lophole? 😁💰

[rktman]

Can't see why not.😁

[mass55th]

"The blind box has been around for as long as I can remember."

Yep...it's been around for years. It used to be at the top on the reverse side of the form.

[alloysteel]

Cutoff date - January 2, 1955

Looks like 65 or older before the beginning of 2020.

[Rusty0604]

I assume you're being a comedian. 😎

[DaveArk]

I see the wife and I could get an extra $700 deduction if we were to get a divorce. :)

[Sacajaweau]

I’m 75....so been there, done that. Just retired a couple years ago.

[Bonemaker]

[TADSLOS]

🤷🏼‍♂️

[DFG]

I am an Enrolled Agent. I have a blind client that uses the blind check box. Standard deduction increases for blind tax payers.

How to Qualify As Blind By the IRS
You must keep in your tax records a certified letter from an eye doctor (or optometrist) stating that you have non correctable 20/200 vision in your best eye or that your field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less.

[Vigilanteman]

One or more of those small Caribbean Sea countries does those quickie divorces for a small fee. You can take a cruise ship there in December, get a quickie divorce and get married again when you come back in January.

The IRS counts you for the whole year based on your status as of noon local time on January 1st. I think it used to have been midnight on December 31st. Can any tax advisor clarify?

[Vigilanteman]

Re: Post 32 and 25 . . . is January 2 the new January 1st? I know if you turn 65 on the 1st of the month, you can actually enroll in Medicare effective the 1st of the previous month, right?

Is a second after midnight also the standard for the new date now?

[Raycpa]

Does anyone ever check it?

I have two stories about blind taxpayers. My first experience was getting a call from a "blind" taxpayer that he was going to be late for appointment because he could not find a parking spot. I discovered that blind is not totally blind.

The second was a client I inherited from a deceased tax preparer. This taxpayer lived in another state and we did her tax return for a number of years and did not know she was blind until we got details of a wrongful discharge lawsuit that mentioned both age and blindness. We never met her and we had no reason to think she was blind. This made me rethink my procedures but it is very rare that someone is blind and does not itemize.

[Carriage Hill]

All this stuff could fit on a 3x5 card, to simplify it.

[I want the USA back]

What? A senior form? Is the print extra large size? does it come with GPS tracking if I misplace it? If I make a mistake can I claim Senior Moment?

I don’t like it. I suggest adding these lines:
How much of a refund do you want? __________
Do you want it by check or direct deposit? _______.

[Raycpa]

Can we get a discount on our taxes if we are AARP members?

[DaveArk]

I don’t know, sounds risky. What if after 31 years she doesn’t want to tolerate me anymore. :)

[NonValueAdded]

It made more sense when there were three flavors of the 1040, prior to the TCJA. Back then, seniors were disqualified by age from the 1040EZ and this was meant to be its equivalent. What it does do for seniors is give tax providers an alternate pricing hook. But realistically, it was mooted by the 2018 reforms.

[lakecumberlandvet]

People over 65 should no longer be bothered by the IRS. Let them live out the remainder of their days in tax-free peace.