What Is the Standard Deduction for 2025-2026?
When filing your federal income tax return, you can claim either the Standard Deduction or itemized deductions. Taking the Standard Deduction is a simple way to deduct a fixed amount from your taxable income without having to meet specific requirements. So, what is the Standard Deduction, and how much can it save you? Check out this guide to learn more.
The One Big Beautiful Bill that passed includes permanently extending tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including increasing the cap on the amount of state and local or sales tax and property tax (SALT) that you can deduct, makes cuts to energy credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act, makes changes to taxes on tips and overtime for certain workers, reforms Medicaid, increases the Debt ceiling, and reforms Pell Grants and student loans. Updates to this article are in process. Check our One Big Beautiful Bill article for more information.

Key Takeaways
- The Standard Deduction lets you reduce your taxable income by a fixed amount, making tax filing simpler since you don't need to itemize deductions.
- Each year, the Standard Deduction amounts typically go up to keep pace with inflation, ensuring your tax relief stays consistent.
- If you're 65 or older or blind, you can qualify for a higher Standard Deduction, giving you extra tax relief.
- You can’t claim the Standard Deduction if you're married filing separately and your spouse itemizes, or if you're a nonresident alien.
What are tax deductions?
Tax deductions allow individuals and companies to subtract certain expenses from their taxable income, which reduces their overall tax bill. The federal tax code gives you the choice of adding up certain deductible expenses—known as itemized deductions—or simply deducting a flat amount, no questions asked. That flat amount is called the "Standard Deduction."
What is the Standard Deductions?
The Standard Deduction is a tax deduction that you can take can if you don't claim itemized deductions on your federal income tax return. It ensures that all taxpayers have at least some income that is not subject to tax.
Your "basic" Standard Deduction depends on your filing status. However, "additional" Standard Deduction amounts are available if you're at least 65 years old and/or blind. On the other hand, your Standard Deduction is limited if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. The Standard Deduction amounts and limits are typically increased each year to account for inflation.
You usually have the option of claiming the Standard Deduction or itemizing your deductions. However, you can't claim both in the same year.
You will also find that many states that impose an income tax will also allow you to claim a similar type of Standard Deduction on your state income tax return (some states don't have an income tax).
How much is the Standard Deduction for 2025?
For the 2025 tax year, the basic Standard Deduction amounts for each filing status are:
- Single - $15,750
- Married Filing Separately - $15,750
- Married Filing Jointly - $31,500
- Head of Household - $23,625
- Surviving Spouse - $31,500
Returns for the 2025 tax year are filed in 2026.
How much is the Standard Deduction for 2026?
For the 2026 tax year, the basic Standard Deduction amounts for each filing status are:
- Single - $16,100
- Married Filing Separately - $16,100
- Married Filing Jointly - $32,200
- Head of Household - $24,150
- Surviving Spouse - $32,200
Returns for the 2026 tax year are filed in 2027.
|
Filing Status |
2025 Standard Deduction |
2026 Standard Deduction |
|
Single |
$15,750 |
$16,100 |
|
Married Filing Jointly |
$31,500 |
$32,200 |
|
Married Filing Separately |
$15,750 |
$16,100 |
|
Head of Household |
$23,625 |
$24,150 |
|
Surviving Spouse |
$31,500 |
$32,200 |
Is the Standard Deduction limited if someone claims you as a dependent?
If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, your Standard Deduction is lower. For example, for both the 2025 and 2026 tax years, the Standard Deduction for dependents is the greater of:
- $1,350
- earned income, plus $450
Note that for option two, it can't equal more than the Standard Deduction for your filing status. So, if you're a single taxpayer under age 65 for the 2025 tax year, it can't exceed the $15,750 ($16,100 for 2026).
How much is the additional Standard Deduction?
For the 2025 tax year, the additional amount added to the basic Standard Deduction for people who are at least 65 years old or blind at the end of the tax year is:
- Single - $2,000
- Married Filing Separately - $1,600
- Married Filing Jointly - $1,600
- Head of Household - $2,000
- Surviving Spouse - $1,600
For the 2026 tax year, the additional amount is:
- Single - $2,050
- Married Filing Separately - $1,650
- Married Filing Jointly - $1,650
- Head of Household - $2,050
- Surviving Spouse - $1,650
If you’re both 65 or older and blind, the additional Standard Deduction amount is doubled.
You're considered blind for purposes of the additional Standard Deduction if you're either partially or totally blind. The tax code defines "partly blind" as having a field of vision of no more than 20 degrees or corrected vision no better than 20/200—and you'll need a certified statement from an eye doctor backing up your claim.
Many states offer similar adjustments for age and blindness.
TurboTax Tip:
You can choose between the Standard Deduction and itemizing your deductions, but itemizing usually only makes sense if your deductible expenses are higher than the Standard Deduction.
Who can’t claim the Standard Deduction?
Some taxpayers can't take the federal Standard Deduction. If you're married but file taxes separately and your spouse itemizes deductions on their return, then you can't claim the Standard Deduction. You also can't claim it if you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) were a nonresident alien at any time during the tax year. Finally, if you change your annual accounting period and file a return that covers less than 12 months, the Standard Deduction isn't available to you.
What is the difference between Standard Deductions vs. itemized deductions?
While the Standard Deduction is a fixed dollar amount, claiming itemized deductions allows you to account for various deductions individually. Itemized deductions are usually used when your eligible expenses are higher than the amount of the Standard Deduction.
To itemize deductions, you must complete Schedule A, which allows you to enter individual amounts for expenses that fit into the categories outlined. This includes medical and dental expenses, gifts to charity, and other itemized deductions.
Is it better to use the Standard Deduction or itemize?
It's much easier to claim the Standard Deduction over itemized deductions, but it could cost you money. The IRS recommends that you take the time to run the numbers to see which option gives you a bigger deduction (TurboTax will do this for you).
In particular, you might consider itemizing if you made substantial charitable donations, if you paid mortgage interest and property taxes on your home, or if you had large amounts of out-of-pocket medical expenses.
What if the Standard Deduction is more than my income?
There are generally three scenarios that may apply to you:
- In many cases, if you don’t earn more than the Standard Deduction, you won’t have to file an income tax return. For example, the 2025 Standard Deduction is $15,750, and if you earn less than $15,750 that year, then you might not need to file your income tax return. See the next point for further clarification.
- You might have to file an income tax return, even though your earnings were less than the Standard Deduction, depending on the type of income you earned. For example, if you earn self-employment income, you’ll have to file if it’s over the self-employment reporting threshold.
- If you had too much money withheld throughout the year, even if your earnings weren't more than the Standard Deduction, you’ll need to file income taxes if you want to receive a refund.
- If you’re below the income threshold that would require you to file, but you qualify for refundable credits, you may want to consider filing anyway to take advantage of the refund you’re entitled to based on those credits.
For a full explanation, read our article on who needs to file an income tax return.
Does the Standard Deduction change each year?
Yes, the Standard Deduction is adjusted each year for inflation. Before filing your taxes, you should check how much the Standard Deduction is for the year.
With TurboTax Expert Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Expert Assist.
And you can file your own taxes with TurboTax Do It Yourself. Easily start your taxes by adding your forms and answering a few simple questions, then we’ll guide you from there. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.
Get started now by logging into TurboTax and file with confidence.


