For 2026, the IRS raised the standard deduction to:
- $16,100 for single filers
- $32,200 for married filing jointlyPlus, taxpayers age 65+ get an additional standard deduction:
- $2,050 for single filers
- $1,650 for married filers
👉 This means more income is shielded from tax before itemizing makes sense.
Do you usually take the standard deduction or itemize? Why?