Additional Senior Deduction

[4Runner72]

I file MFJ and both myself and spouse are over 65. Our line line 11 AGI is over $300,000 yet the line 12e Standard deduction is showing $34,700 with line 13b showing Zero. This can't be right. It is not calculating the phase out.  What is up?

[xmasbaby0]

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-retur...

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

[DoninGA]

When your AGI for MFJ is $250,000 or more you are not eligible for the extra senior deduction.

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry the max phaseout for Joint is only 250,000 not 350,000 as reported wrong in some places.  I made a chart.......

[xmasbaby0]

You still get your standard deduction on 12e.   Your income is too high for the senior deduction shown on 13b.   They are listed separately on your tax form.

[4Runner72]

I agree but my return shows $34,700 on line 12e not $31,500.  the additional Senior Deduction on line13b is correct at Zero. I can't find any work sheet that looks at my AGI of $346,203 and phases out the additional SR deduction. Do I need to override Line 12e?  Seems like a programing error. 

[Vanessa A]

The regular standard deduction is not phased out by your income.  Since both you and your spouse are over 65, that would be the regular standard deduction for a couple that is filing a joint return with both people over 65.

The senior bonus deduction is what is phased out due to income is over $250,000, the BONUS would be fully phased out, but not the regular standard deduction. 

As long as line 13b is $0 then this is correct.  

The additional amount is the extra $1,600 for each of you that is part of the standard deduction.  This is NOT affected by your income. 

[xmasbaby0]

Look again at the standard deduction amounts for 65 and older.

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

So---$31,500 + $1600 +$1600  =  $34,700