Taxes
Higher standard deduction at 65
Once you're 65, or if you're blind, the IRS adds an extra amount to your standard deduction, so less of your income is taxed. For tax year 2026, that's $2,050 if you're single or head of household, or $1,650 for each qualifying spouse if you're married. You claim it by checking the boxes for age or blindness on your return.
Who may qualify
| Age | 65 or older at the end of the tax year. The IRS counts you as 65 on the day before your 65th birthday. |
|---|---|
| Blindness | Blind on the last day of the tax year. If you're both 65 and blind, you get both extra amounts. |
What you may get
| Extra amount at 65 or blind, unmarried and not a surviving spouse (tax year 2026) | $2,050 |
|---|---|
| Extra amount at 65 or blind, each qualifying person, married or surviving spouse (tax year 2026) | $1,650 |
| Basic standard deduction, single or married filing separately (tax year 2026) | $16,100 |
| Basic standard deduction, married filing jointly (tax year 2026) | $32,200 |
| Basic standard deduction, head of household (tax year 2026) | $24,150 |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| When the tax year 2026 amounts apply | On tax returns filed in 2027 |
|---|
Good to know
- Form 1040-SR is the IRS's version of the tax return for seniors. You can use it or Form 1040.
- You can't take the standard deduction if you itemize your deductions.
- For tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026), the extra amount was $1,600, or $2,000 if unmarried and not a surviving spouse.
What people get wrong
MythThe extra amount for being 65 is added automatically.
Not always. You claim it by checking the boxes for age or blindness on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.
MythThe new $6,000 senior deduction replaced the extra standard deduction.
Not true. The $6,000 senior deduction is in addition to the extra standard deduction for people 65 and older.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, Topic no. 551, Standard deduction (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, Revenue Procedure 2025-32: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (IR-2025-103) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- 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, Let us help you: telephone assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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