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Standard Tax Deduction 2020 & 2021: How Much It Is? Under United States federal tax law, the standard deduction refers to a certain dollar amount that eligible taxpayers can deduct from their income prior to receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits. Tax filers can choose either the standard deduction or itemized deductions but generally choose whichever results in the lower amount of tax owed. Items that are subject to a standard deduction are those which a taxpayer must deduct and that have a monetary value. Common items subject to the standard deduction are mortgage interest, casualty insurance, state taxes, and contributions to qualified retirement plans. A non-standard deduction can be an amount equal to -100% of the standard deduction or any amount paid with an annuity, trust fund, or tax-deferred interest.
The standard deduction can affect a variety of aspects of a taxpayer’s financial life. The money which is subject to the standard deduction can be used for medical expenses, childcare expenses, homeownership, housing costs, and transportation costs. It is important to remember that the standard deduction cannot be transferred to another person or situation. It is only available for the year in which the tax returns were filed.
Itemized deductions, on the other hand, are deductions that are made based on an itemized list of each individual’s income and expenses. Like standard deductions, itemized deductions can be deducted from the income of a taxpayer in any tax year in which these forms are filed. Like standard deductions, itemized deductions can be transferred to another person or situation.
Standard Tax Deduction 2020
| Filing Status | Standard Deduction |
| Single | $12,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $24,800 |
| Married Filing Separately | $12,400 |
| Head of Household | $18,650 |
| Over 65 Age |
|
| Dependents | Additional $1,100 or individual income plus $350 |
Standard Tax Deduction 2021
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Single | $12,000 | $12,200 | $12,400 | $12,550 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $24,000 | $24,400 | $24,800 | $25,100 |
| Married Filing Separately | $12,000 | $12,200 | $12,400 | $12,550 |
| Head of Household | $18,000 | $18,350 | $18,650 | $18,800 |
| Over 65 Age |
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| Dependents | Additional $1,050 or individual income plus $350 | Additional $1,100 or individual income plus $350 | Additional $1,100 or individual income plus $350 | Additional $1,100 or individual income plus $350 |
When to Declare the Standard Deduction?
Below’s the bottom line: If your standard deduction is less than your itemized deductions, you most likely need to conserve as well as detail cash. It may be worth it to take the criterion and also conserve some time if your standard deduction is even more than your itemized deductions.
Utilizing the standard deduction is less complicated than detailing, if you have a home mortgage or house equity car loan it’s worth seeing if detailing would certainly conserve you cash. Contrast your home loan passion deduction quantity to the standard deduction.
methods. It’s most likely worth the time to address all the inquiries concerning itemized deductions that may use to you if you’re utilizing a tax obligation software program. Why? The software application (or your tax obligation pro) can run your return both means to see which technique generates a reduced tax obligation expense. Even if you wind up taking the standard deduction, at the very least you’ll understand you’re appearing in advance.
Notes:
- The standard deduction is $1,300 greater for those that more than 65 or blind; it’s $1,650 greater if likewise single and also not making it through a partner (in 2021, that component rises to $1,700).
- You obtain a smaller sized standard deduction if somebody can assert you as a reliant