⚡ 2026 UPDATE: Standard deduction amounts have been adjusted. Check your new number below.
Tax Year 2026 · Updated March 2026
Standard Deduction
2026: New Amounts
The IRS adjusted the standard deduction for inflation. Find your exact amount — and see if you’d save more by itemizing instead.
See My 2026 Deduction Amount →Free guide · No signup · Updated for current tax year
$15,750
Single Filers
$31,500
Married Filing Jointly
$23,625
Head of Household
+$750
Increase vs 2025
Your 2026 Standard Deduction
Adjusted annually for inflation — here are the official amounts for each filing status
Single
$15,750
↑ +$750 vs 2025
Was $15,000 in 2025
Married Filing Jointly
$31,500
↑ +$1,500 vs 2025
Was $30,000 in 2025
Head of Household
$23,625
↑ +$1,125 vs 2025
Was $22,500 in 2025
Married Filing Separately
$15,750
↑ +$750 vs 2025
Same as single filers
| Filing Status | 2025 Amount | 2026 Amount | Your Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $15,000 | $15,750 | +$750 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $30,000 | $31,500 | +$1,500 |
| Head of Household | $22,500 | $23,625 | +$1,125 |
| Married Filing Separately | $15,000 | $15,750 | +$750 |
| 65+ or Blind (Single) | $16,550 | $17,300 | +$750 |
| 65+ or Blind (Married) | $31,600 | $33,100 | +$1,500 |
Should You Itemize Instead?
The standard deduction isn’t always the best choice — check these signals
Take the Standard Deduction if…
Your total deductions (mortgage interest + SALT + charity + medical) add up to less than your standard deduction amount
Take the Standard Deduction if…
You rent your home, have no major medical expenses, and don’t make large charitable donations
Consider Itemizing if…
You own a home in California, New York, or New Jersey and pay over $15,000/year in property + state taxes
Consider Itemizing if…
You have significant mortgage interest, paid large medical bills, or made major charitable donations in 2026
Standard vs. Itemize Calculator
Enter your numbers — find out which choice saves you more
Quick Comparison Tool
Estimates only — see full calculator in the complete guide
Common Questions
Quick answers before you file
No. You must choose one or the other. The SALT deduction (state and local taxes) is an itemized deduction — you can only claim it if you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction. If your total itemized deductions exceed your standard deduction amount, itemizing wins.
Yes. The IRS adjusts the standard deduction annually based on inflation (measured by the Chained CPI). For 2026, the adjustment added $750 for single filers and $1,500 for married couples filing jointly compared to 2025 amounts.
You qualify for an additional standard deduction on top of the base amount. For 2026, the additional amount is $1,550 per qualifying condition for single filers, and $1,300 per condition for married filers. Both conditions (age and blindness) stack.
Yes, but the amount is limited. For 2026, a dependent’s standard deduction is the greater of $1,350 or their earned income plus $400, up to the regular standard deduction for their filing status. This prevents dependents from claiming a large deduction on unearned income.
Yes — significantly for some filers. The 2026 SALT cap was raised to $40,400 for single filers (from $10,000). If you pay high state and local taxes, this higher SALT cap could now push your itemized total above the standard deduction, making it worth switching to itemizing. See our SALT guide for details.
The elevated standard deduction amounts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire after 2025, but the One Big Beautiful Bill Act extended and modified these provisions through 2030. After 2030, Congress would need to act again or the rules revert to pre-TCJA levels.
Know Exactly Which Option
Saves You More
Full guide with interactive calculator, real examples by filing status, and the itemize-vs-standard decision tree
Read the Complete 2026 Guide →