The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) increased the standard deduction from $6,500 to $12,000 for individual filers, from $13,000 to $24,000 for joint returns, and from $9,550 to $18,000 for heads of household between 2017 and 2018. As before, the amounts are indexed annually for inflation.
If your expenses throughout the year were more than the value of the standard deduction, itemizing is a useful strategy to maximize your tax benefits. Keep in mind that not all expenses qualify when you itemize. Itemized deductions include products, services, or contributions that have been approved by the IRS.
Standard deduction for seniors – If you do not itemize your deductions, you can get a higher standard deduction amount if you and/or your spouse are 65 years old or older. You can get an even higher standard deduction amount if either you or your spouse is blind.
Personal Exemption Deduction Eliminated
Personal exemption deductions for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents have been eliminated beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated personal exemptions, but raised the standard deduction and the child credit as substitutes. Before 2018, taxpayers could claim a personal exemption for themselves and each of their dependents.
The TCJA also set the personal exemption to $0, essentially swapping exemptions for a larger standard deduction and child tax credit. In 2026, personal exemptions would return and be valued at $5,300.
At What Age Can You Stop Filing Taxes? Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher.
In 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers and married persons filing separately, $21,900 for a head of household, and $29,200 for a married couple filing jointly and surviving spouses. Taxpayers who are 65 or older and/or blind are eligible for an additional standard deduction.
You report the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status.
The loan must be secured by the taxpayer's main home or second home (qualified residence), and meet other requirements. Fully deductible interest. In most cases, you can deduct all of your home mortgage interest.
Certain taxpayers aren't entitled to the standard deduction: You are a married individual filing as married filing separately whose spouse itemizes deductions. You are an individual who was a nonresident alien or dual status alien during the year (see below for certain exceptions)
If you paid the premiums for a policy you obtained yourself, (such as through the marketplace) your health insurance premium is deductible when they are out-of-pocket costs.
Taxpayers who are 65 or older can take an additional standard deduction, which is also adjusted for inflation. For tax year 2025, that amount is $2,000 for single filers and $1,600 for others.
One of the greatest changes brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is the elimination of many personal itemized deductions. Starting in 2018 and continuing through 2025, taxpayers will not be able to deduct expenses such as union dues, investment fees, or hobby expenses.
Who Does Not Have to Pay Taxes? You generally don't have to pay taxes if your income is less than the standard deduction or the total of your itemized deductions, if you have a certain number of dependents, if you work abroad and are below the required thresholds, or if you're a qualifying non-profit organization.
Rise in standard deductions
For heads of households, it is $22,500 for tax year 2025, up $600 from tax year 2024. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately for tax year 2025, the standard deduction increases to $15,000 for 2025, up $400 from 2024.
Between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits. More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.
For 2024, the additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers who are 65 and older or blind are: $1,950 for Single or Head of Household (increase of $100) $1,550 for married taxpayers or Qualifying Surviving Spouse (increase of $50)
Taxpayers 65 and older qualify for an additional standard deduction, reducing their taxable income. The extra deduction amount differs based on filing status and whether the taxpayer or spouse is blind. The IRS updates the deduction amounts annually for inflation, impacting tax filings.
You may have to pay federal income taxes on a portion of your Social Security benefits if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return).
“This is simply a way for Congress to obtain more revenue for the federal government at the expense of seniors who have already paid into Social Security.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated or limited many deductions, credits, and limits, including the standard deduction, until Dec. 31, 2025.
The Standard Deduction Will Drop But Personal Exemptions And Unlimited SALT Deductions Are Coming Back. This change will be either positive or negative depending on the taxpayer. For individuals in high tax states, and families with a lot of dependents, it'll likely be a win.
The New York Times has described the TCJA as "the most sweeping tax overhaul in decades". Most of the changes introduced by the bill went into effect on January 1, 2018, and did not affect 2017 taxes.