United States · Federal income tax · Seniors
Standard deduction at age 65 or older 2027.
The add-on for each person who turns 65 or is blind, by filing status, with the totals worked out.
Short answer: At age 65 or older the 2027 standard deduction is $18,700 for a single filer, $27,025 for a head of household, $34,900 for a joint return with one spouse 65 or older, and $36,600 when both are. The add-on is $2,100 if unmarried and $1,700 per person if married.
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The add-on for age 65
Anyone who is 65 or older by the end of the tax year adds to the base standard deduction. Rev. Proc. 2026-35 section 3.15(3) sets the 2027 add-on at $1,700, or $2,100 if the person is also unmarried and not a surviving spouse. Last year's add-ons were $1,650 and $2,050.
| Situation | Base 2027 | Add-on | Total 2027 | Total 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, 65 or older | $16,600 | $2,100 | $18,700 | $18,150 |
| Head of household, 65 or older | $24,925 | $2,100 | $27,025 | $26,200 |
| Married filing jointly, one spouse 65 or older | $33,200 | $1,700 | $34,900 | $33,850 |
| Married filing jointly, both 65 or older | $33,200 | 2 x $1,700 | $36,600 | $35,500 |
| Married filing separately, 65 or older | $16,600 | $1,700 | $18,300 | $17,750 |
| Single, 65 or older and blind | $16,600 | 2 x $2,100 | $20,800 | $20,200 |
The separate $6,000 senior deduction
The IRS fact sheet FS-2025-03 describes a different deduction for 2025 through 2028: people 65 or older can claim an extra $6,000 each, on top of the additional standard deduction above, and it phases out above modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). It is not part of the amounts in Rev. Proc. 2026-35 and this page does not calculate it; the senior deduction calculator does.
What changed from 2026
The base amounts rose by $500 for single filers, $775 for heads of household and $1,000 for joint filers, and the add-ons rose by $50 and $50. A single filer who is 65 or older therefore deducts $18,700 against $18,150 the year before.
Worked example (2027)
A single filer age 66 with $30,000 of gross income takes $16,600 plus $2,100, which is $18,700, leaving $11,300 of taxable income and a 2027 tax of $1,130.00. A married couple both age 67 with $70,000 of gross income deducts $36,600 and has $33,400 taxable, which gives a 2027 tax of $3,496.00. Social Security benefits and other income decide how much of that gross figure is taxable in the first place.
Common mix-ups
- Turning 65 late in the year still counts. You qualify for the add-on if you are 65 on the last day of the tax year. A person born on January 1 is treated as having reached the age on the previous day.
- The add-on is per person, not per return. On a joint return each spouse who is 65 or older adds $1,700.
- The $6,000 senior deduction does not replace the add-on. The IRS says the senior deduction is in addition to the additional standard deduction for seniors.
- Unmarried filers get the larger add-on. The add-on is $2,100 for single and head-of-household filers and $1,700 for married filers and qualifying surviving spouses.
Method
The calculator takes the 2027 base amount for the filing status, counts everyone who is 65 or older or blind, and multiplies by $1,700 for married filers and qualifying surviving spouses or $2,100 for single and head-of-household filers. The result is shown beside the same inputs under 2026 amounts. The January 1 birthday rule comes from IRS Publication 501.
What this does not cover
- The $6,000 senior deduction and its income phase-out.
- Whether your Social Security benefits are taxable.
- Itemized deductions and medical expense thresholds.
- State tax breaks for older residents.
Figures read from the sources below on November 9, 2026. Last updated November 9, 2026.
Sources
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-35 (tax year 2027 inflation adjustments), section 3.15 (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- IRS news release IR-2026-133, November 5, 2026 (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (tax year 2026 figures used for the comparison column) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- IRS fact sheet FS-2025-03: deduction for seniors (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- IRS Publication 501, standard deduction (retrieved November 9, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2027 standard deduction for a single person over 65?
$18,700, which is the $16,600 base plus a $2,100 add-on.
What is the 2027 standard deduction for a married couple both over 65?
$36,600: $33,200 plus two add-ons of $1,700.
What if only one spouse is 65 or older?
$34,900 on a joint return, $33,200 plus one add-on of $1,700.
How much did the over-65 amount rise from 2026?
A single filer age 65 or older goes from $18,150 to $18,700, up $550.
Is the $6,000 senior deduction included?
No. It is a separate deduction for 2025 through 2028 with its own income limits, described in IRS fact sheet FS-2025-03.
Do I add the age and blind amounts together?
Yes. A person who is 65 or older and blind adds two amounts, for example $16,600 plus 2 x $2,100 = $20,800 for a single filer.
Where do the 2027 figures come from?
IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-35, section 3.15, and IRS news release IR-2026-133 of November 5, 2026.
Not legal or tax advice
These are the IRS figures for tax year 2027 in an unofficial guide that no tax agency runs. A result here is an estimate from the numbers on this page, not a return. Nothing you type is transmitted anywhere. Confirm with IRS forms and instructions or a tax professional before you file.