Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
The standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount that reduces your taxable income before tax brackets are applied. It is available to all taxpayers who do not itemize deductions and is the simplest way to lower your tax bill. Approximately 90% of taxpayers use the standard deduction rather than itemizing, as the standard amount exceeds most people's total itemizable expenses.
The standard deduction is subtracted from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to determine your taxable income. For example, a single filer earning $75,000 in AGI with a $15,000 standard deduction has $60,000 in taxable income, and only that $60,000 is subject to federal tax brackets.
| Filing Status | Deduction Amount |
|---|---|
| Single | $15,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $30,000 |
| Head of Household | $22,500 |
| Married Filing Separately | $15,000 |
Taxpayers age 65 and older or who are blind receive additional standard deduction amounts of $1,550 to $1,950 depending on filing status. These extra amounts are added to the base standard deduction.
You should itemize instead of taking the standard deduction only if your total deductible expenses (mortgage interest, state/local taxes up to $10,000, charitable contributions, medical expenses above 7.5% of AGI) exceed the standard deduction amount. For most renters and those without large mortgages, the standard deduction is the better choice.