Good for the elderly
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.
When You Must File Taxes If you are over the age of 65 and live alone without any dependents on an income of more than $11, 850, you must file an income tax return. If part of your income comes from Social Security, you do not need to include this in the gross amount.
Generally, the elderly tax credit is 15% of the initial amount, less the total of nontaxable social security benefits and certain other nontaxable pensions, annuities, or disability benefits you’ve received. 50% of your adjusted gross income will be added and less the AGI limitation amount.
The IRS requires you to file a tax return when your gross income exceeds the sum of the standard deduction for your filing status plus one exemption amount. If Social Security is your sole source of income, then you don’t need to file a tax return.
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.
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.)
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.
Single, under the age of 65 and not older or blind, you must file your taxes if: Unearned income was more than $1,050. Earned income was more than $12,000 . Gross income was more than the larger of $1,050 or on earned income up to $11,650 plus $350.
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.
The standard deduction for 2020 is $12,400 for singles and $24,800 for married joint filers. There is also an “additional standard deduction,” for older taxpayers and those who are blind. A married filer who is blind or aged 65 and over can claim $1,300 for themselves.
65 or older
The person must meet one of the following criteria: be blind. be markedly restricted in at least one of the basic activities of daily living. be significantly restricted in two or more or the basic activities of daily living (can include a vision impairment)
Social Security benefits do not count as gross income . However, the IRS does count them in your combined income for the purpose of determining if you must pay taxes on your benefits.
How to Pay Less Tax on Retirement Account Withdrawals Decrease your tax bill. Avoid the early withdrawal penalty. Roll over your 401(k) without tax withholding. Remember required minimum distributions. Avoid two distributions in the same year. Start withdrawals before you have to. Donate your IRA distribution to charity. Consider Roth accounts.
When you sell a house, you pay capital gains tax on your profits. There’s no exemption for senior citizens — they pay tax on the sale just like everyone else. If the house is a personal home and you have lived there several years, though, you may be able to avoid paying tax .