The IRS has officially released the standard deduction adjustments for the 2026 tax year (for taxes filed in early 2027). These updated baseline figures reflect a 2.2% cost-of-living bump from 2025.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!2026 Base Standard Deduction
| Filing Status | 2026 Standard Deduction | Change from 2025 |
| Single | $16,100 | +$350 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $32,200 | +$700 |
| Head of Household | $24,150 | +$525 |
| Married Filing Separately | $16,100 | +$350 |
| Qualifying Surviving Spouse | $32,200 | +$700 |
Extra Deductions for Seniors & Blind Taxpayers
If you are legally blind or aged 65 and older by December 31, 2026, you can stack additional amounts on top of your base deduction.
- Single or Head of Household: +$2,050 per qualification (up to $4,100 if both apply).
- Married or Surviving Spouse: +$1,650 per qualification, per person (up to $3,300 per individual if both apply).
The New Senior Bonus Deduction: Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), taxpayers aged 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 senior deduction on top of the standard amounts. This benefit fully applies if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is under $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers) and gradually phases out above those tiers.
Rules for Dependents
If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2026 tax return, your standard deduction is capped at whichever of the following two amounts is greater:
- $1,350
- Your earned income plus $450 (up to the standard baseline limit for your filing status, which is $16,100).
Editing by Katie willimas
