Standard Deduction (US)
Definition
A fixed amount US taxpayers can subtract from income instead of itemising deductions, varying by filing status and adjusted annually. Taxpayers choose whichever is larger — the standard deduction or itemised deductions.
Related Terms in US Tax
Itemized Deductions
Specific US deductions — such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes within limits, and charitable gifts — claimed in place of the standard deduction when they total more, reducing taxable income.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
A US taxpayer's total gross income less specific above-the-line adjustments. AGI is the starting point for many deductions, credits and phase-out thresholds.
Taxable Income
The amount of income on which tax is actually calculated, after subtracting deductions from gross or adjusted gross income. Tax rates and brackets apply to this figure, not to total income.
Marginal Tax Rate
The rate of tax applied to the next unit of income — the bracket the last dollar earned falls into. It differs from the effective rate, which is total tax as a share of all income.
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