Standard Deductions Pages
by Annie Spratt
These standard deductions will be applied by tax year for your IRS tax return; most states also have a standard deduction. As a result of the 2018 tax reform, the standard deductions have increased significantly, but many other deductions got discontinued as a result of the same tax reform. If all this reading is not for you, simply estimate your next tax return for free and get real results as they only apply to your tax situation. Want to get IT done? Sign up free here and eFileIT - current year returns only.
- Use the eFile.com tax rate or bracket calculator - RATEucator - to see how the various tax rates will impact you by tax year and what your effective tax rate will be.
- Get an overview state income tax brackets and standard deductions. Open this PDF with state-related standard deductions and tax brackets.
- What is this year's standard deduction?
Tax returns that are due on Tax Day, but can be filed late. You can prepare and e-file your current year taxreturn on eFile.com and the eFile Tax App will work for your benefit by applying or recommending the standard deduction or itemized deductions. In other words, you don't have to figure out whether to itemize deductions or use the standard deduction. Choosing to itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction on your return is done by the eFile app based on the information you enter. Even if the itemized deduction is more beneficial to you, you can still select and claim one of the federal standard deduction amounts below based on your tax return for the given tax year.
You can e-file tax returns until the October tax deadline. However, late filing or late tax payment penalties might apply if you owe taxes. Find out if you should e-file a tax extension this year.
Below are standard deduction amounts by tax year.
Standard Tax Deduction Amounts by Tax Year
Tax Years
Standard Deductions
Standard deduction amounts change year-to-year - get the latest deduction thresholds for the current tax year as well as future years.
Back Tax Years (this page)
See below for the standard deduction amounts for the most recent back tax years.
2022 Tax Year Standard Tax Deduction Amounts
The table below is organized by filing status, whether you were older or younger than age 65 - born before or after Jan. 2, 1958, and the standard deduction. Note that your standard deduction is automatically applied to your return when you enter information in your eFile account when you prepare your current year tax return.
Filing Status
Birth Date Jan. 2, 1958
Standard Deduction
Single
After Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$12,950
Add $1,750
Single
Before Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$14,700
Add $1,750
Head of Household
After Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$19,400
Add $1,750
Head of Household
Before Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$21,150
Add $1,750
Attention: This standard deduction table is only here for information purposes. When you prepare and eFile your taxes on eFile.com, all of these various scenarios will be calculated for you. Plus, the eFile Tax App will calculate itemized deductions and make a recommendation for you. However, you decide which deduction method you prefer. eFileIT and Make IT Less Taxing!
Married Filing Separately
Both After Jan. 2, 1958
1 Before, 1 After Jan. 2, 1958
Per Legally Blind
$12,950
$14,350
Add $1,400/Blind
Married Filing Separately
Both Before Jan. 2, 1958
1 Before, 1 After Jan. 2, 1958
Per Legally Blind
$15,750
$14.350
Add $1,400/Blind
Surviving Spouse
After Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$25,900
Add $1,400
Surviving Spouse
Before Jan. 2, 1958
Legally Blind
$27,300
Add $1,400
Married Filing Jointly
Both After Jan. 2, 1958
1 Before, 1 After Jan. 2, 1958
Per Legally Blind
$25,900
$27,300
Add $1,400/Blind
Married Filing Jointly
Both Before Jan. 2, 1958
1 Before, 1 After Jan. 2, 1958
Per Legally Blind
$28,700
$27,300
Add $1,400/Blind
Dependent
At any age, if you are a dependent on another person's tax return and you are filing your own tax return, your standard deduction can not exceed the greater of $1,150 or the sum of $400 and your individual earned income. Additionally, this rule does not apply if the dependent makes equal to or greater than the standard deduction for their filing status. Learn more about how to file a tax return as a dependent.
Sample 1: If your earned income was $700. Your standard deduction would be: $1,150 as the sum of $700 plus $350 is $1,050, thus less than $1,150.
Sample 2: If your income was $3,200, your standard deduction would be: $3,600 as the sum of $3,200 plus $400 is $3,400, thus greater than $1,150.
Sample 3: As a dependent, if you have taxable income of $15,000, then you claim the standard deduction for single taxpayers of $12,950 and pay tax on the remaining $2,050.
Learn more about who qualifies as a dependent.
Nonresident Aliens
As a nonresident alien or dual-status alien, you are not allowed to claim the standard deduction and must itemize in order to claim tax deductions on Form 1040NR.
Standard Deduction Exception Summary for Tax Year 2022
- If you are age 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $1,750 if you file as single or head of household. If you are legally blind, your standard deduction increases by $1,750 as well.
- If you are married filing jointly and only ONE of you was born before Jan. 2, 1958, your standard deduction increases by $1,400. If BOTH you and your spouse were born before Jan. 2, 1948, your standard deduction increases by $2,800. If one of you is legally blind, it increases by $1,400, and if both are, it increases by $2,800.
- As a surviving spouse , your standard deduction increases by $1,400 if you were born before Jan. 2, 1958. If you are legally blind, it increases by $1,400.
- Disaster Loss: Your standard deduction may only be increased by the net amount of any disaster loss you suffered if your area is a federally declared disaster. This is the same amount you would report as an itemized deduction if you were itemizing.
2021 Tax Year Standard Tax Deduction Amounts
2021 Tax Returns can no longer be e-filed. Calculate and prepare your 2021 Return here and see the 2021 Forms for you to complete, sign, print, and mail in.
Filing Status
Age
Standard Deduction
Single
Younger than 65
$12,550
Blind: $14,250
Single
65 or Older
$14,250
Blind: $15,950
Head of Household
Younger than 65
$18,800
Blind: $20,500
Head of Household
65 or Older
$20,500
Blind: $22,200
Married Filing Separately
Younger than 65
$12,550
Blind: $14,250
Married Filing Separately
65 or Older
$14,250
Blind: $15,950
Married Filing Separately
As married filing separately if one spouse itemizes deductions, the other spouse cannot claim the standard deduction. If one spouse itemizes deductions, then the other spouse must also itemize deductions in order to claim deductions.
Married Filing Jointly
Younger than 65
$25,100
Blind
One: $26,450
Both: $27,800
Married Filing Jointly
65 or Older
One: $26,450
Both: $27,800
Blind
One: $29,150
Both: $30,500
Qualifying Widow(er)
Younger than 65
$25,100
Blind: $26,450
Qualifying Widow(er)
65 or Older
$26,450
Blind: $27,800
Dependent
At any age, if you are a dependent on another person's tax return and you are filing your own tax return, your standard deduction cannot exceed the greater of $1,100 or the sum of $350 and your individual earned income. Additionally, this rule does not apply if the dependent makes equal to or greater than the standard deduction for their filing status. Learn more about how to file a tax return as a dependent.
Sample 1: If your earned income was $700. Your standard deduction would be: $1,100 as the sum of $700 plus $350 is $1,050 thus less than $1,100.
Sample 2: If your income was $3,200, your standard deduction would be: $3,550 as the sum of $3,200 plus $350 is $3,550, thus greater than $1,100.
Sample 3: As a dependent, if you have taxable income of $15,000, then you claim the standard deduction for single taxpayers of $12,550 and pay tax on the remaining $2,450.
Learn more about who qualifies as a dependent.
Standard Deduction Exception Summary for Tax Year 2021
- If you are age 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $1,700 if you file as single or head of household. If you are legally blind, your standard deduction increases by $1,700 as well.
- If you are married filing jointly and you OR your spouse is 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $1,350. If BOTH you and your spouse are 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $2,700. If one of you is legally blind it increases by $1,350, and if both are, it increases by $2,700.
- As qualifying widow(er) it increases by $1,350 if you are 65 or older. If you are legally blind, it increases by $1,350.
- Disaster Loss: Your standard deduction may only be increased by the net amount of any disaster loss you suffered if your area is a federally declared disaster. This is the same amount you would report as an itemized deduction if you were itemizing.
2020 Tax Year Standard Tax Deduction Amounts
2020 Tax Returns can no longer be e-filed. Calculate, prepare your 2020 Return here and see the 2020 Forms for you to complete, sign, print, and mail in.
Filing Status
Age
Standard Deduction
Single
Younger than 65
$12,400
Blind: $14,050
Single
65 or Older
$14,050
Blind: $15,700
Head of Household
Younger than 65
$18,650
Blind: $20,300
Head of Household
65 or Older
$20,300
Blind: $21,950
Married Filing Separately
Younger than 65
$12,400
Blind: $14,050
Married Filing Separately
65 or Older
$14,050
Blind: $15,700
Married Filing Jointly
Younger than 65
$24,800
Blind: $26,150
Married Filing Jointly
65 or Older
$26,150
Blind: $27,500
2019 Tax Year Standard Tax Deduction Amounts
All previous year tax returns can no longer be e-filed. You can calculate and estimate back taxes with the eFile.com 2019 Tax Calculators. Then, complete, sign, and print the 2019 tax forms here on eFile.com; see state tax returns.
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$12,200
Head of Household
$18,350
Married Filing Separately
$12,200
Married Filing Jointly
$24,400
Qualifying Widow(er)
$24,400
2018 Tax Year Standard Tax Deduction Amounts
All previous tax year tax returns can no longer be e-Filed. You can calculate and estimate back taxes with the eFile.com 2018 Tax Calculators and complete, sign, and print the tax forms here on eFile.com; see state tax returns.
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$12,000
Head of Household
$18,000
Married Filing Separately
$12,000
Married Filing Jointly
$24,000
Qualifying Widow(er)
$24,000
Tax Year 2017StandardDeduction Amounts
Back taxes can no longer be e-filed. You can calculate and estimate back taxes with thesefree eFile.com 2017 Tax Calculators. Then, complete, sign, and print the tax forms here on eFile.com; see state tax returns.
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$6,350
Head of Household
$9,350
Married Filing Separately
$6,350
Married Filing Jointly
$12,700
Qualifying Widow(er)
$12,700
Tax Year 2016Standard Deduction Table
All previous year tax returns can no longer be e-filed; you can find the tax forms here.
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$6,300
Head of Household
$9,300
Married Filing Separately
$6,300
Married Filing Jointly
$12,600
Qualifying Widow(er)
$12,600
Previous Tax Year 2015 Standard Deduction Table
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$6,300
Head of Household
$9,250
Married Filing Separately
$6,300
Married Filing Jointly
$12,600
Qualifying Widow(er)
$12,600
Previous Tax Year 2014 Standard Deduction Table
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$6,200
Head of Household
$9,100
Married Filing Separately
$6,200
Married Filing Jointly
$12,400
Qualifying Widow(er)
$12,400
Previous Tax Year 2013 Standard Deduction Table
Filing Status
Standard Deduction
Single
$6,100
Head of Household
$8,950
Married Filing Separately
$6,100
Married Filing Jointly
$12,200
Qualifying Widow(er)
$12,200
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Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Tax Calculators:
- The article discusses 15 tax calculators, including those for the 2023 and 2024 tax years. These tools likely cover a range of calculations from standard deductions to specific tax credits.
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DATEucator:
- This tool seems to be related to predicting or estimating the date for tax refunds in the year 2024.
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STATEucators:
- Refers to state-specific tax calculators, indicating that tax laws and calculations can vary at the state level.
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DEPENDucator:
- Addresses considerations related to dependents in the context of tax returns, potentially covering topics like claiming dependents and their impact on tax returns.
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CHILDucator:
- Focuses on the Child Tax Credit, suggesting guidance on how to claim this credit.
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CAREucator:
- Likely deals with the Child and Dependent Care Credit, providing information on how to claim this credit for expenses related to child care.
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FILEucator:
- Discusses the requirement and considerations for filing tax returns.
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EITCucator:
- Covers the Earned Income Credit, a refundable tax credit for low to moderate-income individuals.
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RELucator:
- Addresses the use of relatives as dependents in tax calculations.
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HOHucator:
- Likely a tool related to the Head of Household filing status, which has different tax implications.
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STATucator:
- Deals with determining filing status, which affects the tax rates applied.
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PENALTYucator:
- Focuses on late filing and payment penalties, providing guidance on avoiding or mitigating them.
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Form W-4 Tool:
- Offers information on completing Form W-4, a document used by employees to determine the amount of tax withheld from their paychecks.
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RATEucator:
- Provides insights into income brackets and tax rates, allowing users to understand how different income levels are taxed.
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Standard Deductions:
- Discusses the standard deduction amounts for various filing statuses over multiple tax years. It explains how standard deductions change annually and provides detailed tables for different scenarios.
The article also covers various tax-related concepts such as taxable and tax-free income, deductions (standard vs. itemized), tax credits, paying taxes, tax forms, e-filing, tax history, and deadlines. Additionally, it includes information on specific tax situations, like living abroad or being an independent contractor, and addresses common tax issues like extensions and amendments. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the tax landscape and is a valuable resource for individuals seeking guidance on their tax-related queries.
