
Turning 65 often marks a major shift in financial life. Retirement income replaces wages, Social Security starts paying out, and Medicare becomes a primary form of healthcare coverage. For many retirees, the assumption is that their tax returns will become simpler. Unfortunately, the reality is often the opposite—especially when it comes to IRS scrutiny.
While an “audit” might sound intimidating, what the IRS calls a “review” can be triggered for many reasons. These reviews don’t always mean you’ve done something wrong, but they do mean the IRS wants a closer look at certain details. For older taxpayers, that can lead to extra paperwork, delayed refunds, or even back taxes if an error is found.