The IRS offers two major options for lowering your taxable income: the standard deduction and itemized deductions. Most taxpayers opt for the standard deduction simply because it's less work than itemizing, but that doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone.
What is the standard deduction?
The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that filers can subtract from their adjusted gross income. This lowers how much of their income is subject to tax. The IRS adjusts the standard deduction amount every year to reflect the rate of inflation.
Standard deduction amounts generally depend on your tax filing status. Certain taxpayers, such as those who are blind or age 65 or older, usually get a higher standard deduction, sometimes called an additional standard deduction. On the other hand, people who are claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return may get a lower standard deduction.
Standard deduction example: A married couple filing their 2023 tax return jointly with an adjusted gross income of $125,000 is entitled to a standard deduction of $27,700. This tax break reduces their taxable income to $97,300 ($125,000 - $27,700).
» MORE: Learn more about tax brackets and rates
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How the standard deduction works
You can either take the standard deduction or itemize on your tax return. The standard deduction is a blanket, guaranteed amount you can subtract from your AGI without having to prove anything to the IRS. Itemized deductions also reduce your taxable income — but in a different way.
Itemized deductions are individual expenses, such as mortgage interest, certain unreimbursed medical costs or business mileage, that are considered deductible by the IRS. People who incur a lot of these types of expenses throughout the year may consider itemizing on their return.
Taking the standard deduction means you can't deduct those itemized expenses or take certain types of tax breaks. If you itemize, you should hang onto records supporting your deductions in case the IRS decides to audit you.
Even if you have no other qualifying deductions or tax credits, the IRS lets most people take the standard deduction on a no-questions-asked basis. However, a few situations may disqualify some taxpayers from taking it.
» MORE: Estimate your refund or bill with our free tax calculator
Standard deduction 2024
The standard deduction amounts for 2024 have increased to $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for joint filers and $21,900 for heads of household. People 65 or older may be eligible for a higher amount.
The 2024 standard deduction is taken on tax returns filed in 2025.
Filing status | 2024 standard deduction |
|---|---|
Single; Married filing separately | $14,600. |
Married filing jointly; Surviving spouse | $29,200. |
Head of household | $21,900. |
Source: Internal Revenue Service | |
» MORE: IRS announces 2024 tax changes, updated standard deduction
Standard deduction 2023
The 2023 standard deduction was $13,850 for single filers and those married filing separately, $27,700 for those married filing jointly, and $20,800 for heads of household. These amounts apply to tax returns that were due April 15, 2024. Taxpayers who filed for an extension before the tax filing deadline have until Oct. 15, 2024, to file.
Filing status | 2023 standard deduction |
|---|---|
Single; Married filing separately | $13,850. |
Married filing jointly; Surviving spouse | $27,700. |
Head of household | $20,800. |
Source: Internal Revenue Service | |
Standard deduction for those 65 or older
People 65 or older and those who are blind are entitled to an extra standard deduction amount that they may add to their existing base standard deduction. How much extra depends on filing status and which situations apply.
To be eligible for the age-based additional standard deduction, you must have turned 65 by the end of the tax year.
To qualify for the additional standard deduction for blindness, the IRS requires that you are either totally blind or have received a statement from an eye doctor confirming that you see less than 20/200 in your better-functioning eye or your field of vision is 20 degrees or fewer. You may also qualify if contact lenses are able to correct the above conditions, but you are unable to wear them because of pain or infection.
Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
Single or head of household | |
|---|---|
65 or older or blind. | + $1,950. |
65 or older and blind. | + $3,900. |
Married filing jointly or separately and surviving spouse | |
65 or older or blind. | + $1,550 (per qualifying individual). |
65 or older and blind. | + $3,100 (per qualifying individual). |
Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
Single or head of household | |
|---|---|
65 or older or blind. | + $1,850. |
65 or older and blind. | + $3,700. |
Married filing jointly or separately and surviving spouse | |
65 or older or blind. | + $1,500 (per qualifying individual). |
65 or older and blind. | + $3,000 (per qualifying individual). |
Standard deduction for dependents
If you're filing a tax return but are still being claimed as a dependent by someone else, your standard deduction depends on your earned income.
For the 2024 tax year, the standard deduction for dependents is $1,300, or earned income plus $450. If you take the second route, note that the final number can not exceed the standard deduction for your tax filing status.
For the 2023 tax year, you could have either taken a flat $1,250, or however much your earned income was, plus $400, not to exceed the maximum standard deduction amount for that tax filing status.
» Dive deeper: Who counts as a dependent?
When can't you take the standard deduction?
The standard deduction is a welcome tax break for most — but there are a handful of situations where you may not be qualified to take it.
You are married filing separately, and your partner chooses to itemize. You must also itemize.
You are filing a return as a trust, estate or partnership.
Your return covers a period of less than a year because of accounting period changes.
You are considered a "nonresident alien" or "dual-status alien" of the U.S. (but there are some exceptions; see Publication 519).
Standard deduction calculator
Use the calculator below to estimate your 2024 standard deduction, which applies to tax returns due by April 15, 2025, or October 2025 with an extension.
When to claim the standard deduction
If your standard deduction is less than your itemized deductions, you probably should itemize and save money. If your standard deduction is more than your itemized deductions, it might be worth it to take the standard and save some time.
Try this quick check. Although using the standard deduction is easier than itemizing, if you have a mortgage or home equity loan, it’s worth seeing if itemizing would save you money. Use the numbers you find on IRS Form 1098, the Mortgage Interest Statement (you typically get this from your mortgage company at the end of the year). Compare your mortgage interest deduction amount with the standard deduction.
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Consider other itemized deductions. Deciding whether to itemize also requires getting a bit cozy with the tax code. If you find that your life involves many other expenses that can be written off as itemized deductions, it's worth tallying those expenditures up to see if they could amount to larger savings. Examples of potentially eligible itemized deductions include:
Property taxes,
Charitable donations,
State income taxes or sales taxes, and
Certain business, medical or moving mileage.
Run the numbers both ways. If you’re using tax software, it’s probably worth the time to answer all the questions about itemized deductions that might apply to you. Why? The software can run your return both ways to see which method produces a lower tax bill. If you're working with a tax pro, they can run the numbers for you. Even if you end up taking the standard deduction, at least you’ll know you’re coming out ahead.
