Last year I filed “single” - this year an “age category” was chosen for me and I am getting $200 less on my federal refund. Do I have to file using the age criteria?

[gboone52]

I don’t remember ever seeing an option which included a birthdate in order to choose filing status in the past.  Is this new?

[xmasbaby0]

Are you referring to the higher standard deduction you get when you are 65 or older?

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund. 

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,200   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

Look on line 9 of your 2019 Form 1040 to see your itemized/standard deduction amount

[gboone52]

I’m not real savy when it comes to taxes.  I just know that I’m getting $200 less of a refund than last year.  When on social security, every penny counts.  I’m trying to figure out why because nothing has changed in income or deductions.  That seems like quite a bit of a difference to me.

[DavidD66]

The only age category I'm aware of is for the new Form 1040-SR.  If you are 65 or older (or you turned 65 any time in 2019), you will have the option to use a new simple tax form for seniors, known as Form 1040-SR: U.S. Tax Return for Seniors, when you file your 2019 taxes.  Using this form requires you to take the standard deduction—and the form incorporates the higher standard deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older.  Without more information, I can't say why your refund changed.  Perhaps your withholding - the amount of tax taken out of Social Security or other sources of income - changed?

[xmasbaby0]

 Please note that the Form 1040SR does allow itemized deductions.  The person using 1040SR is not required to use standard deduction.  See line 9 which states it is for standard deduction or itemized deductions from Schedule A

The difference in the Form 1040 and Form 1040SR is essentially the larger print on the 1040SR so that we old people can read it.

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