The official, final 2025 IRS Form 1040-SR for seniors will be available soon, as the tax filing season for 2025 taxes begins in January 2026.
Filing Date: You can begin to prepare your 2025 tax return now, but the IRS will not begin accepting e-filed returns until a date in late January 2026 (the 2025 filing season started on January 27, 2025).
Access: The form can be downloaded from this website. Most final forms are expected to be available by the end of January 2026.
Purpose: Form 1040-SR is an optional alternative to the standard Form 1040, designed for taxpayers age 65 or older. It features larger print and includes the standard deduction table directly on the form for ease of use.
Usage: Functionally, it is the same as Form 1040 and can be used with all the same schedules to report various types of income, deductions, and credits.
| Save 10% on TurboTax Electronic Tax Filing! | Get this offer and save 10% on TurboTax Electronic Tax Filing! |
Changes for 2025: There are no significant changes to the form’s general structure from 2024 to 2025, but the standard deduction amounts have been updated for inflation.
For single filers or heads of household age 65 and older, the additional standard deduction increased to $2,000 (from $1,950 in 2024), and for a married couple filing jointly where both are 65 or older, the additional deduction per person is $1,600 (up from $1,550 per person in 2024).
For those who prefer a paper copy by mail, you can order forms from the IRS by phone, but they will not be shipped until they are finalized and available, which is typically in January 2026.
Why Electronic Filing Is Recommended for Seniors
Even though Form 1040-SR is available in paper format, electronic filing is the fastest, safest, and most accurate option.
E-filing benefits include:
Faster processing and refunds
Fewer math and data-entry errors
Automatic calculation of standard and additional deductions
Secure direct deposit (paper refund checks are being phased out)
Confirmation that your return was received by the IRS
Most tax software platforms support Form 1040-SR and guide seniors step by step through the filing process, making electronic filing simple—even for first-time users.
| Save 10% on TurboTax Electronic Tax Filing! |
| Take advantage of this offer and save 10% on TurboTax Electronic Tax Filing! |
