A standard deduction is a flat amount the IRS lets you deduct from your income. This amount of your income is not taxed. The 2016 standard deduction rates are as follows: 

• Standard deduction for single taxpayers - $6,300
• Standard deduction for married taxpayers filing a joint return - $12,600
• Standard deduction for head of household taxpayers - $9,300

To learn more about the how the Standard Deductions work please see the TurboTax Blog - What are Standard Tax Deductions?

To learn more about Itemized Deductions please see the TurboTax Blog - Tax Deduction Wisdom - Should You Itemize?