# The Standard Tax Deduction for 2025-2026
The IRS has updated standard deduction amounts for the 2025 and 2026 tax years, giving most filers a larger cushion before owing federal income tax. Knowing your filing status determines which deduction applies to you.
For 2025, single filers claim $14,600, while married couples filing jointly get $29,200. Head of household filers receive $21,900. These amounts jump further in 2026 to $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household status. The IRS adjusts these figures annually for inflation.
Age matters too. Taxpayers age 65 or older, plus those who are blind, qualify for higher deductions. A single filer 65 or older claims $18,250 in 2025, rising to $18,750 in 2026. Married couples filing jointly with one spouse 65 or older get $30,550 in 2025 and $31,350 in 2026.
The standard deduction directly reduces your taxable income. You subtract it from your gross income before calculating taxes owed. Most taxpayers benefit from taking the standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions like charitable donations or mortgage interest.
Your filing status drives the biggest difference. A married couple filing jointly gets roughly double the standard deduction of a single person. This shapes whether you owe taxes at all on your income. Dependent claims also affect deductions; dependents typically claim a smaller deduction.
Many taxpayers overlook these updated amounts. Using last year's figures leaves money on the table. The higher deductions in 2025 and 2026 mean more people stay below the threshold for owing any federal income