Senior $6,000 Bonus Deduction Calculator (2026)
People 65 and older can take a new deduction of up to $6,000 each for tax years 2025 through 2028. It is not the same as "no tax on Social Security", and it shrinks at higher incomes. Enter your details to see what you really get.
Include pensions, IRA withdrawals, wages and the taxable part of Social Security.
What the senior bonus deduction is
The 2025 tax law added a temporary deduction of up to $6,000 for each person aged 65 or older. A married couple where both are 65+ can deduct up to $12,000. You get it whether you itemize or take the standard deduction, and it comes on top of the extra standard deduction older taxpayers already get.
It is not "no tax on Social Security"
Social Security benefits are still taxed the same way as before: up to 85% of benefits can count as income, depending on your other income. The new deduction lowers your taxable income after that, so for many middle-income retirees it wipes out some or all of the tax on their benefits. But if your income is high, it can phase out to zero.
2026 rules at a glance
Examples
At low incomes the savings can be small or zero, because the standard deduction already covers most of the income.
Who qualifies
- You are 65 or older by the last day of the tax year. For 2026, that means born on or before January 1, 1962.
- You have a valid Social Security number.
- If married, you file a joint return.
- You do not need to be collecting Social Security. Working seniors qualify too.
How this calculator works
Each eligible person starts with $6,000. That is reduced by 6% of your income above $75,000 (or $150,000 if married filing jointly). The calculator figures your 2026 federal income tax, including the standard deduction and the extra standard deduction for age 65+ ($2,050 single, $1,650 per married person), with and without the senior deduction, and shows the difference.
FAQ
Does Social Security become tax-free?
No. Social Security is taxed under the same rules as before. The new $6,000 deduction can reduce or remove the tax for many retirees, but it is not an exemption.
Do I have to itemize?
No. You can take the senior deduction together with the standard deduction.
Can we both claim it?
Yes, if you are married filing jointly and both of you are 65 or older, you can deduct up to $12,000 in total.
Do I need to be retired?
No. Eligibility is based on age, not on whether you work or collect Social Security.
How long does it last?
It applies to tax years 2025 through 2028 unless Congress extends it.
Rules and rates last checked: October 2026. This is an estimate for general information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check IRS.gov or a tax professional before you file.