Senior Tax Deduction: What It Is, Who Qualifies

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Here is a list of our partners.Not to be confused with the additional standard deduction for seniors, the new senior tax deduction allows qualified filers to shelter even more of their income from taxes.Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.How is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.Content Management SpecialistBella Avila is a content management specialist on the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. Previously, she was a copy editing intern at NerdWallet through the Dow Jones News Fund internship program. Bella graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Editor & Content StrategistSabrina Parys is an editor and content strategist on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet, where she manages and writes content on personal income taxes. Her previous experience includes five years as a copy editor and associate editor in academic and educational publishing. She is based in Brooklyn, New York. New deductions for tips and overtime made headlines last year after the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) was signed into law. But don’t overlook another tax break the bill ushered in: the senior tax deduction. The tax code already gives seniors who are 65 and older a break in the form of a larger standard deduction, allowing eligible people to deduct up to an extra $2,000 on top of their regular amount.New this filing season is the "senior bonus deduction." This is an separate benefit for qualified seniors that will be available through 2028 unless extended by Congress. It’s worth up to $6,000 per qualifying individual, meaning joint filers who are both 65 or older can get up to $12,000. If you qualify, you can claim both the extra standard deduction and the new senior bonus deduction.Being 65 or older by the end of 2025 is the first box you have to check to qualify, but there are a few other rules to know about. Income limits: Individual filers must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $75,000 or less to claim the full credit. For joint filers, the MAGI limit is $150,000. The deduction amount is reduced by 6 cents for every dollar of income that exceeds these limits until it phases out completely. This means you won’t get any credit if you made $175,000 or more last year as an individual or $250,000 or more as a joint filer.Single filer incomeJoint filer incomeFull credit$75,000 or less.$150,000 or less.Partial creditBetween $75,000 and $175,000.Between $150,000 and $250,000.No credit$175,000 or more.$250,000 or more.Social Security number: Taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number to claim the senior tax deduction. This requirement has become more common to claim popular tax credits and deductions since the OBBBA was passed. File jointly: Filers who are married must file a joint return with their spouse to claim the deduction. This is true regardless of if your spouse qualifies for the deduction.» How does this deduction affect your whole tax picture? Use our free tax calculator to find outUnlike some other tax breaks, you don’t have to itemize deductions on your tax return to claim the senior bonus deduction. You’ll need to fill out the “Enhanced Deduction for Seniors” section of Schedule 1-A and include your deduction amount on line 13b of Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Unless you’re filing your return with paper forms and mailing it in — which the IRS doesn’t recommend — you won’t need to get too cozy with these forms. Tax software will do this work for you.You may, however, want to explore whether you qualify for the IRS’ volunteer-run Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, which offers free tax preparation services for qualified filers who are 60 and older. The IRS says TCE volunteers specialize in “questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.” You can find the TCE location closest to you by using the IRS’ locator tool. » See our editors’ picks for the best tax software this yearon Anthem Tax Services' websiteon Alleviate Tax's websiteHelpful resourcesDownload the app Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product's site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution's Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. 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