Standard Deduction 2025 & 2026

Essential data for your Tax Refund Calculator 2025 inputs. See how inflation adjustments lower your taxable income.

3-Year Trend

The "Inflation Shield" Effect

Single Filers

2024$14,600
2025 (Current)$15,000
2026 (Projected)$15,450

Married Jointly

2024$29,200
2025 (Current)$30,000
2026 (Projected)$30,900

*2026 values are based on projected CPI data and current legislative phase-outs.

Single

2024$14,600
2025 NEW$15,000
+$400 Savings

Married Filing Jointly

2024$29,200
2025 NEW$30,000
+$800 Savings

Head of Household

2024$21,900
2025 NEW$22,500
+$600 Savings

How Standard Deduction affects your Tax Refund Calculator 2025 result

When you use a Tax Refund Calculator 2025, the standard deduction is the first line of defense against tax liability. It directly reduces your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

For example, if you earn $50,000 and file single, our Tax Refund Calculator 2025 engine automatically subtracts the $15,000 standard deduction. This means you are only taxed on $35,000.

Pro Tip for 2025 Estimator Users:

If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, medical bills, etc.) are less than the amounts above, the standard deduction will yield a larger federal tax refund.

2025 vs 2026 Tax Brackets

While the deduction handles your "zero-tax" baseline, the tax brackets determine the rate for the rest of your income. Using a 2026 tax refund calculator preview, we can see that taxpayers in the middle class may see an effective tax drop of 0.3% due to these expanded thresholds.

JS
Verified Tax Expert

James Sterling, CPA, MST

Senior Tax Strategist with over 15 years in federal tax planning and IRS compliance. James holds a Master of Science in Taxation and has helped thousands of taxpayers optimize their 2025 tax refund estimator results.
Member of AICPAIRS Enrolled AgentTax Law Reviewer 2025