Standard deduction
The standard deduction is a flat amount that reduces taxable income for taxpayers who do not itemize. For 2025 it is $15,750 single, $31,500 married filing jointly and $23,625 head of household.
Taxpayers who are 65 or older or blind add an extra amount, and a dependent's standard deduction is limited. OBBBA also added a separate $6,000 deduction for each person 65 or older for 2025 to 2028, phased out above $75,000 of modified AGI ($150,000 joint).
Example. A married couple with $28,000 of itemized deductions takes the $31,500 standard deduction instead, because it is larger.
By Binod Raj Singh, CPA (licensed in Montana) · Updated for the 2026-2027 exam windows · Last updated 2026-11-05