Arlington, VA — 60 Plus Association President Jim Martin hailed new legislation introduced by Congressman Max Burns (R-GA) as a ‘senior friendly’ proposal that would simplify federal income tax filing forms for the elderly.

“Americans over 65 will finally be able to file their federal taxes with their own version of the 1040-EZ form, if Congressman Burns’ legislative initiative is approved by Congress and the President,” Martin said.

Burns introduced the ‘Simple Tax for Seniors Act’ on Thursday that creates a short-form 1040SR for retired seniors. Under current law, taxpayers are disqualified from using the 1040-EZ simply by being 65 or older, or by the receipt of Social Security funds or other retirement income. The Burns legislation would create the new 1040SR, allowing non-itemized filing for seniors who receive retirement income.

Burns himself called it “a bizarre oversight that the IRS discriminates against American seniors using the 1040-EZ due to nothing other than age.” This new form will immediately make a simplified filing available to those over 62, and create a means for qualified individuals of any age who receive retirement income to file the simplified form in less time, on a one-page form, and without being forced to annually disclose more information on their retirement savings and pension plan than necessary to determine the proper taxes due.

Martin concluded, “Burns has asked Congressional leadership to ‘fast-track’ the legislation, and allow a floor vote in both the House and Senate this year. We at 60 Plus couldn’t agree more. It’s a brilliant idea and obviously, long overdue. This is another reason this freshman Congressman from Georgia earned the 60 Plus Association’s ‘Lawmaker of the Month’ award last year. He is a legislator senior citizen’s can rely on. Congress should enact his proposal into law. 35 million seniors will be grateful.”

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