Standard Deduction for 2026: Amounts, When to Take

The standard deduction is a popular way for taxpayers to reduce their taxable income. Your deduction amount depends on your age, filing status and other factors.

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Updated Jul 10, 2026

The IRS offers two major options for lowering your taxable income: the standard deduction and itemized deductions. Most taxpayers opt for the standard deduction simply because it's less work than itemizing, but that doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone.

What is the standard deduction?

The standard deduction is a fixed amount you can subtract from your income to reduce how much of it is taxed. The IRS lets most people take the standard deduction without having to prove anything, while itemizing deductions requires you to keep documentation related to your expenses.

Your standard deduction amount usually depends on your tax filing status. For example, people who are married and filing jointly get a bigger deduction than single filers. Those 65 and older or blind are also eligible for an additional standard deduction. However, if someone else claims you as a dependent (such as your parents), your standard deduction could be much lower than that of other statuses.

» MORE: Estimate your refund or bill with our free tax calculator

Standard deduction 2026

The standard deduction for 2026 (tax returns due in 2027) is $16,100 for single filers and married people filing separately, $24,150 for heads of household, and $32,200 for those married filing jointly and surviving spouses.

Filing status	Deduction amount
Single	$16,100.
Married filing separately	$16,100.
Head of household	$24,150.
Married filing jointly	$32,200.
Surviving spouse	$32,200.

» MORE: Learn about tax brackets and rates

2026 additional standard deduction for those 65 and older

People 65 and older are entitled to an extra standard deduction amount that they may add to their existing base standard deduction. How much extra depends on filing status and which other situations apply. In 2026, the additional standard deduction is:

Filing status	Additional standard deduction for those 65-plus
Single	$2,050 (If 65-plus or blind). $4,100 (if 65-plus and blind).
Head of household	$2,050 (If 65-plus or blind). $4,100 (if 65-plus and blind).
Married filing separately	$1,650 (If 65-plus or blind; per qualifying person). $3,300 (if 65-plus and blind; per qualifying person).
Married filing jointly	$1,650 (If 65-plus or blind; per qualifying person) $3,300 (if 65-plus and blind; per qualifying person).

🤓Nerdy Tip

On top of the larger standard deduction for seniors, filers who are 65 and older may be able to claim the new "senior bonus deduction" this year. It's an income-based deduction that's worth up to $6,000 per filer ($12,000 for joint filers). Read our senior tax deduction article for more details and to estimate your deduction amount.

Standard deduction for dependents

If you're filing a tax return but are still being claimed as a dependent by someone else, your standard deduction depends on your earned income.

You can either take a flat $1,350 or however much your earned income was plus $450 — whichever is more. If you go the earned income route, note that your total can't exceed the standard deduction for your tax filing status.

When to claim the standard deduction

If your standard deduction is less than your itemized deductions, you probably should itemize and save money. If your standard deduction is more than your itemized deductions, it might be worth it to take the standard and save some time.

Try this quick check: Although using the standard deduction is easier than itemizing, if you have a mortgage or home equity loan, it’s worth seeing if itemizing would save you money. Use the numbers you find on IRS Form 1098, the Mortgage Interest Statement (you typically get this from your mortgage company at the end of the year). Compare your mortgage interest deduction amount with the standard deduction.

Consider other itemized deductions. Deciding whether to itemize also requires getting a bit cozy with the tax code. If you find that your life involves many other expenses that can be written off as itemized deductions, it's worth tallying those expenditures up to see if they could amount to larger savings. Examples of potentially eligible itemized deductions include property taxes, charitable donations, state income taxes or sales taxes, and certain business, medical or moving mileage.

Run the numbers both ways. If you’re using tax software, it’s probably worth the time to answer all the questions about itemized deductions that might apply to you. Why? The software can run your return both ways to see which method produces a lower tax bill. If you're working with a tax pro, they can run the numbers for you. Even if you end up taking the standard deduction, at least you’ll know you’re coming out ahead.

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About the authors

Sabrina Parys

Sabrina Parys is an editor and content strategist on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet. Previously, she was a copy editor and associate editor in academic and educational publishing. Sabrina graduated from CUNY Hunter College with bachelor's degree in English. She also holds a master's degree in book publishing from Portland State University. Sabrina is based in Brooklyn, New York.

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Tina Orem

Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.

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