Tax season feels routine until a small “I’m sure that’s fine” choice quietly shrinks your refund. For many seniors, the biggest losses come from habits that worked for years but don’t fit retirement income, Medicare changes, or new forms. The early 2026 rush can make it even easier to skip a detail, especially if you’re trying to file quickly. The good news is you don’t need complicated strategies to protect your money—you just need to challenge a few common shortcuts. Here are five filing assumptions that can cost seniors a refund and how to avoid them.
