Taxes
The new senior tax deduction
For tax years 2025 through 2028, each person 65 or older may take an extra $6,000 off their taxable income, or $12,000 for a married couple filing jointly when both qualify. You can take it whether you itemize or use the standard deduction, and it comes on top of the extra standard deduction you already get at 65.
Who may qualify
| Age | 65 or older on or before the last day of the tax year |
|---|---|
| Deduction starts to shrink above this income (single filers) | Modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 |
| Deduction starts to shrink above this income (married filing jointly) | Modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 |
| Social Security number | The Social Security number of each person claiming it must be on the return |
| If you're married | You must file a joint return to claim it |
What you may get
| Extra deduction for each person who qualifies (tax years 2025 to 2028) | $6,000 |
|---|---|
| Married couple filing jointly, both 65 or older | $12,000 |
| Who can take it | People who take the standard deduction and people who itemize |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Tax years it covers | 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 |
|---|---|
| How you claim it | On Schedule 1-A (Form 1040), Additional Deductions, with your federal return |
Good to know
- Free tax preparation is available through the IRS's VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. Find a site with the VITA Locator Tool or call 1-800-906-9887.
- The IRS line for individual tax questions is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
What people get wrong
MythI don't itemize, so I can't take the senior deduction.
Not true. You can take it whether you use the standard deduction or itemize.
MythThe new $6,000 deduction replaced the extra standard deduction at 65.
Not true. It's in addition to the extra standard deduction for people 65 and older.
MythA married couple shares one $6,000 deduction.
No. It's $6,000 for each person who qualifies, so $12,000 for a couple filing jointly when both are 65 or older.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, 2026 filing season updates and resources for seniors (Tax Tip 2026-14) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, Working Families Tax Cuts: individuals and workers (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, Topic no. 551, Standard deduction (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, Let us help you: telephone assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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