What Is the Standard Deduction for 2019?
What we’ll cover:
- You can claim deductions on your federal return by using the standard deduction or by itemizing
- The standard deduction is the amount you’re allowed to claim on your return to reduce taxable income
- The 2019 standard deduction for single filers is $12,200
It’s the second most wonderful time of the year: Tax season. You can just smell the paperwork. Hopefully we can help make your life a little easier by saving you from having to scroll through the IRS website to look for the updated standard deduction for 2019.
This quick chart shows updates to the standard deduction for tax year 2019.
Standard Deduction: 2018 vs. 2019
Filing Status
Single
Married filing separately
Married filing jointly
(including surviving spouses)
Head of household
2018
$12,000
$12,000
$24,000
$18,000
2019
$12,200
$12,200
$24,400
$18,350
Standard Deduction
2018 Filing Status
Single
$12,000
Married filing separately
$12,000
Married filing jointly
(including surviving spouses)
$24,000
Head of household
$18,000
2019 Filing Status
Single
$12,200
Married filing separately
$12,200
Married filing jointly
(including surviving spouses)
$24,400
Head of household
$18,350
Did you know that the IRS allows individuals who are age 65 or older or blind to take an additional standard deduction? If this applies to you or your spouse, be sure to check the appropriate boxes on your Form 1040.
Remind me, what’s the standard deduction?
You can claim deductions on your federal tax return one of two ways. You can use the standard deduction or you can itemize your deductions.
The standard deduction is the dollar amount you’re allowed to take on your tax return to reduce your overall taxable income. The amount of the deduction is usually adjusted each year for inflation.
But not everyone may take the standard deduction. For example, taxpayers who choose to itemize their deduction (this is when you list and add up your eligible deductions one by one) cannot claim the standard deduction. The IRS also provides the following list of taxpayers who are not eligible:
- A married individual filing separately whose spouse itemizes deductions.
- An individual who was a nonresident alien or dual status alien during the year (certain exceptions may apply).
- An individual who files a return for a period of less than 12 months due to a change in his or her annual accounting period.
- An estate or trust, common trust fund, or partnership.
Some parting thoughts
Typically, individuals choose the deduction method that provides the largest reduction to their taxable income. But taxes are complicated, and each person’s tax situation is different. The smart thing to do is to consult a tax professional to determine the best way to file your returns.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized professional advice. This article was prepared by and approved by Marcus by Goldman Sachs, but does not reflect the institutional opinions of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. or any of their affiliates, subsidiaries or division. Goldman Sachs Bank USA is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting, tax or other recommendation in this article. Information and opinions expressed in this article are as of the date of this material only and subject to change without notice. Information contained in this article does not constitute the provision of investment advice by Goldman Sachs Bank USA or any its affiliates. Neither Goldman Sachs Bank USA nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this document and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
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