U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) announced his support of H.R. 1058, the Seniors’ Tax Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation that would simplify the tax code and filing requirements for seniors. The Seniors’ Tax Simplification Act would provide a basic, easy-to-read form called the 1040SR for senior taxpayers earning Social Security, retirement benefits, interest and capital gains.

“This legislation is one step to fixing our burdensome tax code because it gives our nation’s seniors the opportunity to use one simple form if they are receiving certain government benefits and private distributions,” Luetkemeyer said. “I have heard from a number of folks in the 9th District who are concerned about the complicated filing process, and this bill attempts to address some of that by making it easier for seniors to report their income each year.” 

Under current law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes filing a tax return more difficult for seniors by prohibiting taxpayers over the age of 65 from using the one-page form 1040EZ, even if a person has a simple return and chooses not to itemize deductions. This is because the form 1040EZ does not include a line for pension and Social Security income. Instead, seniors are required to file using the far more complicated form 1040 and its numerous schedules.         

The Joint Committee on Taxation has reviewed H.R. 1058 and stated that the enactment of this law would have no revenue effect and would not add to the debt.       

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