Senior Tax Bonus: Claim Your $6,000 Extra Deduction this 2026

Seniors, here’s good news for your 2025 tax return (filed in 2026). The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces an extra $6,000 deduction for taxpayers aged 65 or older, no itemizing required.

Married couples filing jointly can claim up to $12,000. This “extra” deduction is scheduled to expire at the end of fiscal year 2028, so timing matters.

Who Qualifies for the Senior Deduction?

To claim the new deduction:

• Be 65 or older by December 31, 2025

• File as single, head of household, surviving spouse, or married filing jointly

• Not available to married couples filing separately

Income Limits

• Single filers: phased out above $75,000, eliminated at $175,000

• Joint filers: phased out above $150,000, eliminated at $250,000

Maximum deduction:

• Individual: $6,000

• Married filing jointly: $12,000

How to Claim the Deduction

• No itemizing needed — claim it on Form 1040 or 1040-SR

• Enter your date of birth; the IRS or tax software automatically calculates eligibility

• Paper filers: check the age box (65+) and include correct Social Security numbers

This deduction is added on top of the existing senior/blind deduction, which for 2026 returns will be:

• Single filer: $2,050

• Married filing jointly: $1,650 per qualifying spouse

Combined With the Standard Deduction

For 2025 tax year:

• Single: $15,750

• Married filing jointly: $31,500

• Head of household: $23,625

Example: A 72-year-old single filer with $70,000 income can claim:

• Standard deduction: $15,750

• Existing senior deduction: $2,000

• New senior bonus: $6,000

Total deductions: $23,750 - Taxable income reduces to $46,250

Bottom Line

Seniors can significantly reduce taxable income with this new deduction.

Married couples and those supporting dependents can maximize their benefit. Act now to take full advantage before the 2028 expiration.

-

You may have access to support you didn’t know about. Find out more here!