TaxAct® will use the higher of your itemized deductions or the standard deduction for your filing status to maximize your tax benefit. The total of your itemized deductions is reported on Schedule A (Form 1040) Itemized Deductions, line 17.
The standard deduction for 2021 for each filing status is:
| Filing Status | Under 65 | 65 or Older |
| Single | $12,550 | $14,250 |
| Head of Household | $18,800 | $20,500 |
| Married Filing Joint | $25,100 | $26,450 if one spouse 65 or older $27,800 if both spouses 65 or older |
| Married Filing Separate | $12,550 | $13,900 |
| Qualifying Widow(er) | $25,100 | $26,450 |
However, if you and/or your spouse were blind in 2021, or could be claimed as a dependent by another person, your standard deduction will differ from the above amounts. Refer to IRS Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR, Line 12 on page 30 to verify the standard deduction that you should use.
Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the webpage or document at the time it is accessed.