Using IRS Form 1040-SR

[JasR70]

I've used turbo tax for several years and this year there was a question about when I became a widower. As a result, when I finished my taxes I noticed that the IRS form was a 1040-SR for my 2019 taxes. I turned 70 in 2019. How come turbo tax did not use the 1040-SR form for my prior 5 years' filing using turbo tax online? Therefore, do I file an amend 1040-X for the prior 3 or 4 years filings using a regular IRS form 1040?

[fanfare]

How to file 1040X -

Do not include your old 1040 nor your revised 1040 because the Form 1040X reflects any changes there and becomes your new tax return.

Include any new/corrected document only if it shows federal tax withheld, and include in order only those Sequence Numbered tax forms and Schedules that changed or were added due to your amendment.
Attachment Sequence Number is on all the forms and Schedules that come after 1040.

Mail to the address shown for your location in the Instructions for Form 1040X.

[fanfare]

Form 1040-SR is new this year. It is the same as 1040.

To use widower status you must have a dependent.

[JasR70]

Thank you fanfare for your reply. I understand about the widower status. My concern is, if the Form 1040-SR is the same as the Form1040, then there is no need to file an Amended 1040X for prior filings when I was 65 and older.

[VolvoGirl]

The 1040SR is a new form starting in 2019.  The 1040SR is the same as the regular 1040 just larger type.  Same line numbers.    You automatically get the SR if you are 65.  If you are using the Desktop program there is a way to force the one you want.

1040SR

 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s.pdf

1040

 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

[JasR70]

Thank you VolvoGirl for answering my question about the 1040-SR, being a new form this year. However, my prior IRS filings with TurboTax used the regular 1040. I turned 70 in 2019 and for my prior tax years age 65 thru 69, should I file an amended 1040-X? None of the data reported in those prior tax years will be changed. So, bottomline, file an amended 1040-X or not?

V/r

[VolvoGirl]

No you do not need to amend for anything.  Why?  You still are filing a 1040.  1040 or 1040SR doesn't make a difference.    

[JasR70]

Thank you VolvoGirl again. You answered my question. Kudos!

V/r

[Litttlebit 2020]

I haven't filed taxes in years. I've been disabled for 20? years. I had a dependent,my grandson in Dec 2020 until Feb 2021. Then he moved back to his dad's. His dad I think filed on him in 2021 for the stimulus checks. I received nothing. I had my grandson on food stamps, medicaid, and $100 a month to help take care of him. What do i do?

[DawnC]

What are you trying to do?   If the child was with his dad for most of 2021, his dad should claim him on his tax return.    A dependent can only be claimed on one tax return each year, so you both cannot claim the child.    If you only have social security disability income and can't claim your grandson, you do not need to file a tax return. 

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2021 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
  • No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

Qualifying relative - Click this link to see the requirements for older dependents.  

@Litttlebit 2020