What Is a Standard Deduction?

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• That means a $1,000 tax credit reduces your tax bill by $1,000.
• The main advantage of itemizing is that, when added together, the total may equal more than the standard deduction.
• Help us continue our work by making a tax-deductible gift today.
• If you are a homeowner, you can benefit a lot by itemizing your expenses.

With the standard deduction, you don’t get to choose the amount deducted, but you also don’t have to mess with all the receipts and calculations that itemized deductions require. Choosing to itemize your deductions instead is like shifting into manual drive. https://quick-bookkeeping.net/ It’s going to take some extra effort on your part, but if you’ve had some big out-of-pocket medical expenses and charitable donations this year , it could be worth it to itemize. We’ll take a look at those expenses that qualify for itemizing in just a bit.

Refunds

If you’re using tax software, it’s probably worth the time to answer all the questions about itemized deductions that might apply to you. The software can run your return both ways to see which method produces a lower tax bill. Even if you end up taking the standard deduction, at least you’ll know you’re coming out ahead. The alternative to taking a standard deduction is to itemize. Itemized deductions are specific expenses incurred during the year, which will decrease your taxable income.

Taxpayers may choose either itemized deductions or the standard deduction, but usually choose whichever results in the lesser amount of tax payable. The standard deduction is available to individuals who are US citizens or resident aliens. The standard deduction is based on filing status and typically increases each year, based on inflation measurements from the previous year. It is not available to nonresident aliens residing in the United States (with few exceptions, for example, students from India on F1 visa status can use the standard deduction). Additional amounts are available for persons who are blind and/or are at least 65 years of age. The standard deduction reduces a taxpayer’s taxable income by a set amount determined by the government.

State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2022

For purposes of this subtitle, the determination of whether a deduction is allowable under this chapter shall be made without regard to the preceding sentence. Except as provided in subsection , for purposes of this subtitle, the term “taxable income” means gross income minus the deductions allowed by this chapter . You must file a Form 1040 Schedule A form in order to tally your itemized deductions. Make sure you keep records of those items you deducted in case you’re audited by the IRS. If you take the standard deduction, that exact dollar amount is deducted from your AGI.

In tax year 2023, the deductions are $13,400 for single filers and $30,700 for married filing jointly. Taxpayers who are age 65 and older, and individuals who are legally blind receive an additional standard deduction. It’s calculated by adding the taxpayer’s standard deduction based on their filing status, plus an additional amount. Most taxpayers are allowed a choice between the itemized deductions and the standard deduction. The difference between the standard deduction and itemized deduction comes down to simple math.

Other Tips to Get You Through Tax Season

Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master’s degree in journalism and a Master of Standard Deduction Definition Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina’s work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. Line balance must be paid down to zero by February 15 each year.

Original supporting documentation for dependents must be included in the application. For tax years beginning after 2017, applicants claimed as dependents must also prove U.S. residency unless the applicant is a dependent of U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. A passport that doesn’t have a date of entry won’t be accepted as a stand-alone identification document for dependents. Small Business Small business tax prep File yourself or with a small business certified tax professional. Refund Advance A 0% interest loan of up to $3,500 received within minutes of filing, if approved.

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