topic The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong

SusanWeber — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:29:42 GMT

The calculation is right up until line 34. Then the phase out amount (calculated using the married limit) is subtracted from the single $6000 instead of the married $12000 amount. We are not getting the whole deduction.

Re: The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:31:45 GMT

The “senior deduction” is added automatically by the software based on the date of birth and filing status you entered into MY INFO. You do not need to take any extra steps to enter it. (And…the new senior deduction has nothing to do with whether you are getting Social Security)

The deduction is not on the same line as your standard deduction. It is shown separately.on line 13b.

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 deduction phases out completely at $175.000 Single or HOH, or $250,000 joint)

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

Need to see it?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/preview-turbotax-online-return-filing/L77WCkvnu_US_en_US?uid=m681fkhr

If you are not getting the senior deduction it is because

Your date of birth in MY INFO shows that you were not 65 by the end of 2025

Your income is too high

You are filing married filing separately

Re: The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong

VolvoGirl — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:07:48 GMT

Sorry, Turbo Tax is doing it right. This is a common misunderstanding. If you are both over 65 and in the phaseout amount, the 6% reduction is subtracted from EACH spouse's 6,000 effectively making it 12%.

It is phased out for EACH spouse. Fill out Sch 1-A yourself and see. It's pretty easy. Then why would they even have 2 lines 36a and 36b for spouse on Schedule 1-A?

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

See IRS instructions for 1040 line 110
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

Re: The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong

G69T1M3nH760V6c — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:43:28 GMT

I'm with you. We're both over 65, all the calculations are doing using the joint numbers, but then when it comes to the extra deduction all of a sudden, it uses the single 6,000 limit instead of the joint 12,000 limit. But, it's probably the IRS rule not Turbotax that screwed it up.

Re: The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Seems Wrong

CatinaT1 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:43:32 GMT

Review your my information section and make sure there is not a typo in the dates of birth. Are you in the phaseout range?

Like xmasbaby and VolvoGirl said, the deduction is automatically calculated by TurboTax if you qualify. The calculation will appear on Schedule 1-A page 2, Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors, which is then carried to your Form 1040 line 13b.

The maximum deduction is $6,000 for each person 65. There is a phaseout of the deduction once your income (MAGI) exceeds $75,000 for single or $150,000 for married filing jointly (MFJ). On a joint return the phaseout is calculated separately for each person.

On a joint return the phaseout is calculated separately for each person, so the 6% phases out for each spouse. This deduction is intended to provide tax relief for seniors and is in addition to the existing Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions. Expires December 31, 2028.