How do we qualify for the 65+ senior tax credit of $12,000?

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January 16, 2026
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xmasbaby0

Level 15

When you enter your date of birth in MY INFO, if you were 65 or older at the end of 2025 you will get that senior deduction automatically. You do not have to enter anything about it.

2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind +1600)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500 (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

For 2025 through 2028 there is an extra deduction amount of up to $6000 per individual 65 or older filing Single, MFJ, or HOH which is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers.

The $6,000 senior deduction will be calculated on 1040 Schedule 1-A page 2 Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors which goes to 1040 line 13b. It is separate and in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions on 1040 line 12e. Turbo Tax automatically includes it.

IRS Schedule 1-A
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040s1a--dft.pdf

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

mesquitebean

Level 15

@DneiseS mentioned: "the 65+ senior tax credit of $12,000"

Be aware it is not a tax credit; i.e., it doesn't reduce (credit) your taxes owed by $12,000 (for MFJ). It is instead a deduction from AGI and thus reduces taxable income, as explained by @ xmasbaby0 above. But that sizable deduction is still a good deal for seniors thanks to President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA).