Good for the elderly
Standard Deduction for Seniors – If you do not itemize your deductions , you can get a higher standard deduction amount if you and/or your spouse are 65 years old or older. You can get an even higher standard deduction amount if either you or your spouse is blind. (See Form 1040 and Form 1040A instructions.)
If you are age 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $1,650 if you file as Single or Head of Household. If you are legally blind your standard deduction increases by $1,650 . If you are Married Filing Jointly and you OR your spouse is 65 or older, your standard deduction increases by $1,300 .
As written, the standard deduction amounts will increase to $12,000 for individuals, $18,000 for heads of household, and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly and surviving spouses. If you are age 65 or over, blind or disabled, you can tack on $1,300 to your standard deduction ($1,600 for unmarried taxpayers).
The standard deduction amounts will increase to $12,200 for individuals, $18,350 for heads of household, and $24,400 for married couples filing jointly and surviving spouses. For 2019, the additional standard deduction amount for the aged or the blind is $1,300 .
You must be 65 years of age as of December 31, 2020 for tax year 2019 OR you were under age 65 as of 12/31/2020 and all 3 statements below are true: You retired on disability before Dec. 31, 2020 and you were permanently and totally disabled at the start of retirement.
65 years
If you work past your full retirement age (FRA) and have earned income, you’ll still have to pay Social Security taxes, even if you’re already collecting benefits.
Adults who are 65 and older get an extra $1,600 added to their standard deduction if they’re filing as single, head of household, or married filing separately. Married couples filing jointly may add another $1,300 for each spouse who is 65 or older , as can qualified widow(er)s.
At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax -free.
The Canada caregiver credit (CCC) is a non-refundable tax credit that may be available to you. Pension income amount – You may be able to claim up to $2,000 if you reported eligible pension, superannuation, or annuity payments on your return. When you file your taxes , the CRA automatically determines your eligibility.
If Single, aged 65 or older or blind, you must file a return if : Unearned income was more than $2,650 or $4,250 if you ‘re both 65 or older and blind. Earned income was more than $13,600 or $15,200 if you ‘re both 65 or older and blind.
The standard deduction
Tax Filing Status | 2018 Standard Deduction | 2019 Standard Deduction |
---|---|---|
Married Filing Jointly | $24,000 | $24,400 |
Head of Household | $18,000 | $18,350 |
Single | $12,000 | $12,200 |
Married Filing Separately | $12,000 | $12,200 |
If you’re single, you’ll need to file a return if you earned $11,900 or more. If you’re married filing jointly, that minimum goes up to $14,900 . If you’re a widower with one or more dependent children, you can make up to $17,900 without being required to file. How much you’ll have to pay is a little more complicated.
For the year you are filing, earned income includes all income from employment, but only if it is includable in gross income . Earned income does not include amounts such as pensions and annuities, welfare benefits, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation benefits, or social security benefits.
Senior citizens can avail a tax deduction of maximum upto Rs 50,000 on interest income earned from deposits with a bank, a post office or a cooperative bank in a financial year, according to Section 80TTB of the Income Tax Act. Section 80TTB was introduced in the 2018 general budget.