The Standard Deduction

A standard deduction for most taxpayers is a predefined dollar amount that is based on the taxpayers' filing status.

An increased standard deduction is available to taxpayers who are 65 or older and/or blind or partially blind.

The standard deduction amounts can be found in the deduction charts and tables in the Volunteer Resource Guide (Tab F), Deductions, to determine the amount of the deduction.

The standard deduction is generally lower for taxpayers who can be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return. The standard deduction is higher for people who are 65 or over, blind, or partially blind.