What's the Standard Deduction?

Most people claim the standard deduction on their federal tax return instead of itemizing deductions. How much can you claim for 2024?

word tax in red on coins for standard deduction
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Whether to take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions is an important decision you'll make when preparing your federal income tax return. The standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount that reduces your taxable income. 

Itemized deductions can also reduce your taxable income, but the amount varies and is not predetermined. 

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Filing Status2024 Standard Deduction
Single; Married Filing Separately$14,600
Married Filing Jointly; Qualifying Widow(er)$29,200
Head of Household$21,900
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Filing Status2023 Standard Deduction
Single; Married Filing Separately$13,850
Married Filing Jointly; Qualifying Widow(er)$27,700
Head of Household$20,800
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 2023 Additional Standard Deduction: Single or Head of Household)
65 or older or blind$1,850
65 or older and blind$3,700
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 2023 Additional Standard Deduction: Married Filing Jointly or Separately
65 or older or blind$1,500 per qualifyinig individual
65 or older and blind$3,000 per qualifying individual
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Filing StatusStandard Deduction 2023Standard Deduction 2024
Single$13,850$14,600
Married, Filing jointly$27,700$29,200
Married, Filing separately$13,850$14,600
Head of Household$20,800$21,900

To continue reading this article
please register for free

This is different from signing in to your print subscription


Why am I seeing this? Find out more here

Kelley R. Taylor
Senior Tax Editor, Kiplinger.com

As the senior tax editor at Kiplinger.com, Kelley R. Taylor simplifies federal and state tax information, news, and developments to help empower readers. Kelley has over two decades of experience advising on and covering education, law, finance, and tax as a corporate attorney and business journalist.