Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · United States (federal)
Form 1040-SR: U.S. Income Tax Return for Seniors
Current revision: Tax year 2025 (checked on irs.gov, Oct 28, 2026)
Fill in IRS Form 1040-SR (tax year 2025), the larger-print return for taxpayers born before January 2, 1961, with its standard deduction chart. Print and sign.
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Form
1040-SR
- Issued by
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Applies in
- United States (federal)
- Edition
- Tax year 2025
Official source
PDFBetter is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting for Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We open the form from irs.gov, and you fill it in our editor. Check the issuer's instructions before you file.
What it is
What Form 1040-SR is for
Form 1040-SR is an optional version of Form 1040 for older taxpayers, with larger print and a standard deduction chart on its last page. It uses the same lines, schedules and instructions as Form 1040; for tax year 2025 you can use it if you were born before January 2, 1961. The PDF irs.gov posts today is the 2025 edition; the 2026 form usually appears in December–January, and a 2026 draft is already on irs.gov/draft-tax-forms. 2026 returns are due April 15, 2027.
Form 1040-SR deadlines, 2027 filing season
2026 Form 1040-SR due (or file Form 4868 for an automatic extension to file) Source: irs.gov
Extended 2026 Form 1040-SR due if you filed Form 4868 by April 15 Source: irs.gov
Dates already move past weekends and DC holidays, as the IRS rule says. Checked against irs.gov on October 28, 2026. See the full 2027 tax calendar.
Fill it here
From irs.gov to your filled copy
- 1
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- 2
Opens in the editor
Fillable fields work as they are; on a flat page you type with text boxes.
- 3
Your filled copy
Download, print, sign or send it — the original stays untouched.
Who files it
- Taxpayers born before January 2, 1961 (for the 2025 form) who prefer it to Form 1040
- Retirees reporting pensions, IRA distributions and Social Security benefits
- Older taxpayers who still have wages, self-employment or investment income
- People who want the standard deduction chart instead of the Form 1040 worksheet
What you need
- Form SSA-1099 (Social Security) and Forms 1099-R (pensions and IRA distributions)
- Forms W-2, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV, if you have them
- SSNs for you, your spouse and any dependents
- Your birth date and your spouse's, and whether either of you is blind (line 12d)
- Records for Schedule A if you itemize, and for Schedule 1-A if you claim the enhanced deduction for seniors
- Bank routing and account numbers for a direct-deposit refund
Line by line
How to fill out Form 1040-SR
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Page 1 — Identity, status and dependents
Enter names, SSNs and address, check one filing status, answer the 2025 digital assets question, and list dependents with their SSNs and the credit each qualifies for.
- 2
Lines 1a–9 — Income
Wages go on lines 1a–1z. Then enter interest (2b), dividends (3b), IRA distributions (4a–4b), pensions (5a–5b) and Social Security benefits (6a–6b) — the b lines hold only the taxable part — plus capital gains (7a) and Schedule 1 income (8). Line 9 is total income.
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Lines 10–11b — Adjusted gross income
Enter adjustments from Schedule 1, line 26, on line 10 and subtract to get AGI on line 11a. Copy it to line 11b at the top of page 2.
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Lines 12a–15 — Deductions
Check the line 12d boxes for age and blindness, then find your standard deduction in the chart on page 4 (for example $17,750 for a single filer with one box checked) or enter itemized deductions from Schedule A on line 12e. Line 13b takes Schedule 1-A, line 38. Line 15 is taxable income.
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Lines 16–24 — Tax and credits
Figure tax on line 16, add Schedule 2, line 3, subtract the child tax credit and Schedule 3, line 8 credits, then add other taxes from Schedule 2, line 21. Line 24 is total tax.
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Lines 25a–33 — Payments
Enter federal tax withheld from W-2s (25a) and from 1099s (25b) — including box 4 of Form 1099-R and box 6 of Form SSA-1099 — plus 2025 estimated payments (26) and refundable credits.
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Lines 34–38 and signature
Choose a refund by direct deposit or enter the amount you owe on line 37. Sign and date page 3 by hand; on a joint return both spouses sign.
Common Form 1040-SR mistakes
- Signing a paper return with a typed or digital signature; the IRS accepts only a handwritten signature on a paper Form 1040-SR.
- Using the page 4 standard deduction chart when someone can claim you as a dependent or your spouse itemizes on a separate return; the chart sends you to the instructions instead.
- Entering the full Social Security benefit on line 6b instead of the taxable part from the worksheet in the instructions.
- Forgetting to attach Forms W-2, and Forms 1099-R with tax withheld, to the front of the return.
- Using this 2025 form for 2026 income; the form, line numbers and amounts change each year.
Where to send it
E-file with software, or mail the paper return to the address for your state and for whether you're enclosing a payment (https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment). The IRS is reducing its paper-return processing sites, so check that page even if you've mailed returns before. 2026 returns are due April 15, 2027, or October 15, 2027 if you file Form 4868 by April 15. Attach Forms W-2, and any W-2G or 1099-R with tax withheld, to page 1. A paper return must carry a handwritten signature.
Filing rules change. Confirm the address or portal on irs.gov before you send.
Form 1040-SR: questions people ask
Which year is this Form 1040-SR for?
The PDF irs.gov posts today is for tax year 2025 (income earned in 2025); the 2026 version usually appears in December–January, and until then this page opens whatever irs.gov posts. A 2026 draft is on irs.gov/draft-tax-forms, but drafts can't be filed.
Who can use Form 1040-SR?
For 2025, anyone born before January 2, 1961. The 2026 draft moves the date to January 2, 1962. It's optional: you can always file Form 1040 instead.
Is it different from Form 1040?
Only in layout. It has larger print and a standard deduction chart on page 4, but the same line numbers, schedules and instructions as Form 1040.
Where does the new deduction for seniors go?
Figure it on Schedule 1-A and enter Schedule 1-A, line 38, on line 13b. For 2025 the IRS says it's up to $6,000 ($12,000 if both spouses qualify), is reduced above $75,000 of modified AGI ($150,000 joint), needs a valid SSN, and married people must file jointly.
Can I sign a paper 1040-SR electronically?
No. The instructions say digital, electronic or typed-font signatures aren't valid on a paper Form 1040 or 1040-SR. E-filed returns are signed with a PIN instead.
Do I need an account to fill it in?
No. You can fill in the form in PDFBetter without an account; downloading the finished PDF needs a free account.
Is it safe to enter my SSN?
The return holds your SSN and bank details. Keep the file in your account, and if a family member or preparer needs to see it, share a password-protected link with an expiry date rather than email.