Standard Deduction 2026
The 2026 standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly — shielding that income from federal tax entirely. Taxpayers 65 or older receive up to $2,600 in additional relief.
Standard Deduction Amounts by Filing Status — 2026
The standard deduction is the amount the IRS lets you subtract from your gross income before calculating your tax. It reduces your taxable income dollar-for-dollar.
| Filing Status | 2026 Standard Deduction | 2025 Amount | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $15,000 | $14,600 | +$400 |
| Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) | $30,000 | $29,200 | +$800 |
| Head of Household (HoH) | $22,500 | $21,900 | +$600 |
| Married Filing Separately (MFS) | $15,000 | $14,600 | +$400 |
| Qualifying Surviving Spouse | $30,000 | $29,200 | +$800 |
Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-40. MFS filers cannot take the standard deduction if their spouse itemizes.
Additional Standard Deduction for Taxpayers 65+ or Blind
Taxpayers who are 65 or older (as of December 31 of the tax year) or legally blind receive an additional standard deduction amount on top of the base amount. These additional amounts are also inflation-adjusted.
| Situation | Additional Amount (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Age 65+ (or blind) — Single / HoH | $1,600 | Per qualifying taxpayer |
| Age 65+ (or blind) — MFJ / MFS / Surviving Spouse | $1,300 | Per qualifying spouse |
| Age 65+ AND blind — Single / HoH | $3,200 | Both conditions apply |
| Age 65+ AND blind — MFJ | $2,600 | Per qualifying spouse |
Single, age 65+
Base $15,000 + $1,600 additional. No federal tax on the first $16,600 of taxable income.
MFJ, one spouse 65+
Base $30,000 + $1,300 additional = $31,300. If both spouses 65+: $32,600.
✓ Retirement planning insight: A married couple both age 65 can shield the first $32,600 of taxable income entirely from federal tax. Adding pre-tax retirement contributions further reduces gross income before this calculation. This is the foundation of the Roth conversion "sweet spot" window in early retirement.
Should You Take the Standard Deduction or Itemize?
You should itemize only if your total itemizable deductions exceed your standard deduction. Use the standard deduction otherwise — it requires no documentation and is always available.
📍 Quick rule: If you don't have a large mortgage and don't live in a high-tax state, the standard deduction almost certainly wins. About 90% of filers now take the standard deduction after TCJA nearly doubled it.
When Itemizing Might Beat the Standard Deduction
- Large mortgage interest: If you're paying $20,000+/year in mortgage interest and have other deductions, itemizing may win
- High state and local taxes (SALT): Capped at $10,000 ($5,000 MFS) — this cap limits the value for high-tax-state residents
- Significant charitable contributions: Cash donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are deductible; bunching multiple years into one through a Donor-Advised Fund can push you over the standard deduction threshold
- Large unreimbursed medical expenses: Only expenses above 7.5% of AGI are deductible; the threshold makes this meaningful only for very high medical costs
- Casualty losses from a federally declared disaster: Can be significant after natural disasters
Common Itemized Deductions & 2026 Limits
| Deduction | 2026 Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State & Local Taxes (SALT) | $10,000 ($5,000 MFS) | Includes income tax or sales tax + property tax |
| Mortgage Interest | Loans up to $750,000 | Primary + 1 secondary home; old loans (pre-12/17/2017) capped at $1M |
| Charitable Contributions (cash) | Up to 60% of AGI | Must be to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations |
| Charitable Contributions (stock) | Up to 30% of AGI | Deduct FMV; avoid capital gains |
| Medical & Dental Expenses | Above 7.5% of AGI | Only excess above threshold is deductible |
| Casualty & Theft Losses | Disaster areas only | Must be federally declared disaster; above 10% AGI |
| Investment Interest Expense | Net investment income | Margin interest on investments |
How the Standard Deduction Shapes Retirement Tax Strategy
For most retirees, the standard deduction defines the baseline income that's completely tax-free each year. This drives several key strategies:
- Roth conversions up to the standard deduction: A married couple 65+ can convert $32,600 of pre-tax IRA money to Roth each year with zero federal income tax
- Social Security management: The standard deduction reduces your taxable income but doesn't directly affect provisional income (which is what triggers Social Security taxation)
- QCD vs. itemizing charitable deductions: Retirees 70½+ who make Qualified Charitable Distributions from their IRA get a better tax result than itemizing charitable gifts — QCDs reduce AGI directly, while itemized deductions only help if you exceed the standard deduction
- Bunching charitable gifts: Rather than donating $10,000 per year (which may not clear your standard deduction), consider donating $30,000 every three years via a Donor-Advised Fund — itemize in the donation year, take the standard deduction in the other two
Frequently Asked Questions
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-40 — 2026 Standard Deduction Amounts
- IRS Publication 501 — Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information
- IRS Schedule A — Itemized Deductions
- Plootus Research — April 2026
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