Exclusively for older adults: an extra standard deduction to save you money on 2023 taxes (2024)

FAQs

Exclusively for older adults: an extra standard deduction to save you money on 2023 taxes? ›

However, if you are 65 or older and file as a single taxpayer, you get an extra $1,850 deduction for tax year 2023. Married and filing jointly or separately? The extra standard deduction is $1,500 for each person who is qualified. For taxpayers who are both 65-plus and blind, the extra deduction is $3,700.

For 2023, the additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers who are 65 and older or blind are: $1,850 for Single or Head of Household (increase of $100) $1,500 for married taxpayers or Qualifying Surviving Spouse (increase of $100)

IRS extra standard deduction for older adults

For 2024, the additional standard deduction is $1,950 if you are single or file as head of household. If you're married, filing, jointly or separately, the extra standard deduction amount is $1,550 per qualifying individual.

Once you turn 50, and especially after age 65, you can qualify for extra tax breaks. Older people get a bigger standard deduction, and they can earn more before they have to file a tax return at all. Workers over 50 can also defer or avoid taxes on more money using retirement and health savings accounts.

You can claim a domestic partner on your return as a dependent as long as they meet the requirements. Generally, the biggest hurdle to overcome by claiming an adult as a dependent is the income test. Adult dependents can't have a gross income of more than $4,700 in 2023 or more than $5,050 for 2024.

When you're over 65, the standard deduction increases. The specific amount depends on your filing status and changes each year. The standard deduction for seniors this year is actually the 2022 amount, filed by April 2023.

Social Security tax FAQs

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. Basically, if you're 65 or older, you have to file a return for tax year 2023 (which is due in 2024) if your gross income is $15,700 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $30,700.

You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.

A credit for taxpayers: aged 65 or older OR retired on permanent and total disability and received taxable disability income for the tax year; AND. with an adjusted gross income OR the total of nontaxable Social Security, pensions annuities or disability income under specific limits.

What is tax deductible for seniors? ›

Medical Expenses

This is a doozy for seniors this tax season. There are many medical costs that can be included in 2023 tax deductions like prescription drug costs, mental health expenses, health insurance premiums and more. Even parking fees at health centers could be deductible.

Credit for the elderly or the disabled

This tax break lets individuals and couples with very low income reduce the amount of income tax they owe. Taxpayers must be 65 or older by the end of 2023, or retired on permanent and total disability and have taxable disability income.

If you are at least 65, unmarried, and receive $15,700 or more in nonexempt income in addition to your Social Security benefits, you typically need to file a federal income tax return (tax year 2023).

How much is the standard deduction for 2023? Note: If you are at least 65 years old or blind, you can claim an additional 2023 standard deduction of $1,850 (also $1,850 if using the single or head of household filing status). If you're both 65 and blind, the additional deduction amount is doubled.

Taxpayers with senior dependents can also claim the Credit for Other Dependents. The maximum amount of the credit is $500 as of tax year 2023. You can claim this credit in addition to the Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit, your State Child and Dependent Care Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

For 2023, the maximum limit on earnings for withholding of Social Security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) tax is $160,200.00. The Social Security tax rate remains at 6.2 percent.

For 2023, the credit is up to $2,000 per qualifying child. To qualify, a child must: Have a Social Security number. Be under age 17 at the end of 2023.