My total income is only 4404, but my standard deduction is 4262. Why is it not 4404? How do I correct this?

[Vanessa A]

The 2023 Standard Deductions for a federal return are as follows:

• Married Filing Joint (MFJ)              $27,700
• Married Filing Separate (MFS)      $13,850
• Head of Household (HOH)             $20,800 
• Single                                                     $13,850                                

Blind and MFJ or MFS add $1,500

Single or HOH if blind add $1,850

If your income is less than the standard deduction for your federal return, you do not need to file a return.

If you are asking about a state, please specify which state as every state has different filing guidelines.

[VolvoGirl]

You must be a dependent.   The Standard Deduction for an individual for whom an exemption can be claimed on another person's tax return is limited to the greater of:

…..$1,250 or

…..Your earned income for the year + $400 (but not more than 13,850))

So you would get a minimum of $1,250.

See Table 8 Standard Deduction worksheet for Dependents on Page 26

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

Or the 1040 worksheet on page 34

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

[Hal_Al]

Note that a dependent's  standard deduction is calculated on his earned income (wages,  self employment or taxable scholarship), not his total income. 

   The Standard Deduction for an individual who can be claimed as a dependent, is limited to the greater of:

…..$1,250 or

…..Your earned income for the year + $400 (but not more than 13,850))

[Mike9241]

as a dependent your standard deduction is limited to net earned income + $400