This content has been updated to help file 2025 taxes during the 2026 tax season.
Income tax for older adults, specifically for retirees or anyone 65 and up, can seem complex. Whether dealing with multiple income sources, such as retirement accounts, or unsure if you need to file a tax return, you know the right choices are vital to your livelihood. Get tax help for seniors with this guide to understand how your taxes differ as an older adult. You’ll discover new tax credits and deductions so that you’ll be better prepared to tackle your tax return this year (and next).
Certain situations may prompt you to wonder if you need to file a federal income tax return. You may have recently retired, or your filing status or income sources may have changed. It’s always important to check because filing thresholds — the amount of income that dictates whether you need to file — change year to year. If you have turned 65 or older by the end of 2025, you will need to file if you are:
However, are Social Security benefits your only income? If so, do you receive less than the standard deduction amount above specific to your filing status? If yes, you generally don't have to file a federal income tax return. This is unless you also earn tax-exempt income from interest on municipal bonds or other investments.
If you have other income, your Social Security benefits may place you in a higher tax bracket. This can raise the amount of taxes you owe. Should you meet one of the following criteria, you’ll need to pay taxes on as much as 85% of the Social Security benefits you receive.
Download the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 703 worksheet to determine if your Social Security benefits are taxable. If you must pay, you can determine how much of your benefits are taxable using IRS Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR. Use Form 1040-SR if you plan to do your taxes by hand versus online. It has larger print, boxes, and a standard deduction table for easy reference.
If you’re 65 years and older and choose not to itemize, you’re eligible for an extra standard deduction. These are $2,000 for single individuals and $1,600 for married individuals filing jointly.
This year, there’s also a new, yet temporary bonus deduction for seniors by way of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed by Congress. It can be taken regardless of whether you itemize your deductions. If you turn 65 by the end of 2025 and have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $75,000 or below, you can claim an additional deduction of $6,000 if filing single. The amount for married couples who file jointly — both age 65 and have a combined MAGI of $150,000 or less — is $12,000. No amount is available for a married couple filing separate.
When you combine these extra deductions with the 2025 standard deduction amounts, you can claim:
If you’re unsure of the best strategy for filing your taxes, a certified financial advisor for seniors can provide guidance.
As you approach age 50, as well as 65, you’ll want to be aware of tax breaks you may qualify for, which may include:
You may qualify for this tax credit for seniors if you’re age 65 or older at the close of 2025. If you have already retired and are under 65, you may qualify if you were permanently and totally disabled prior to your retirement. IRS Schedule R can help you determine your eligibility and your credit amount, which ranges between $3,750 and $7,500.
Whether you’re retired or still working part time, you’d be wise to contribute to your retirement account(s) when possible. Continuing to invest in these accounts reduces your taxable income and helps you delay or avoid paying taxes on monetary assets. As an older adult, even as early as age 50, you have the opportunity to contribute more. For 2025, your maximum contribution limits are:
Once you turn 70.5 years of age, you can make acceptable charitable donations directly from your IRA. These are known as qualified charitable distributions (QCD), and they allow you to avoid paying taxes on these donations. The maximum QCD amount permitted for 2025 is $108,000.
If you turned 73 this year, you’ll now be required to make withdrawals — or required minimum distributions (RMD) — from your IRAs each year. Qualified charitable distributions may count towards your RMD and help you lower your taxable income. However, these donations cannot be included among your tax deductions for seniors.
Did you sell capital assets, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, this year and lose money in the process? You may be able to deduct up to $3,000 of that capital loss against your income, if you experienced an overall net capital loss for 2025. Further, when your capital loss is greater than $3,000, you can carry that loss forward to next year, and potentially additional years, for deduction against your capital gains. However, please note, should you be married, yet filing separately, the maximum deduction for capital loss is $1,500.
Health costs for retirees have increased 4% since just last year. It’s estimated that the average 65-year-old will spend $172,500 on health care and medical in retirement alone. Fortunately, you may be able to deduct some of these expenses, such as for prescription drugs, medical equipment, or long-term care, when they total more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. To be eligible, you’ll need to itemize your deductions. This is unless the standard tax deduction is greater than these expenses. Then, this deduction is not for you.
Should you need help with your taxes but don’t have the budget to pay for it, consider the following free programs. These may serve as reliable resources for services, such as tax planning, preparation, and filing.
If you’re aged 60 or older, you may be able to get basic assistance from IRS-trained and certified volunteers in preparing your tax return and answering questions specific to income tax for older adults. These may be related to retirement and pensions. You can search for the closest site to you, available from January to April each year, using the IRS locator tool.
This additional IRS program offers free basic tax services to anyone with disabilities or taxable income below $67,000. VITA volunteers, also certified and trained by the IRS, can perform tax return preparation and answer questions related to tax credits. Search for help near you using the same TCE locator tool above.
AARP offers free tax assistance for anyone age 50 and up or with low-to-moderate income. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use it. You can get an appointment with an IRS-certified volunteer, who can prepare your tax return or answer your questions. Their services are available from early February to mid-April, and appointments may fill up fast. Sign up for text alerts on their website. If you feel empowered to do your own taxes, AARP’s free online tax software program is available to anyone with an annual gross income under $84,000.
IRS Free File provides other online program access to taxpayers who have annual gross incomes of $84,000 or below. Visit their website to access free filing software from tax preparation partners, starting January 2026. If you exceed that amount of income, the IRS has fillable online forms. Whichever route you choose, the organization also provides detailed information on what you need to get started.
To get year-round assistance with your tax questions and needs, you may find a IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center Office near you. You may also get help online or by phone.
Look for ways that you can improve your filing process this tax season. You may need to be better organized or connect with free or professional help. These tips can help meet your goals for a better tax season moving forward.
Many documents you’ll need for filing your taxes don’t arrive until around the start of 2027. However, you’ll acquire others throughout 2026, such as receipts for charitable donations; medical bills, including dental and vision; and proofs of purchase for medical equipment. Getting organized now will benefit you later. Decide whether you want to store printed documents in an envelope or folder on your computer.
You’ll also want to file your tax documents with your estate planning documents to be further organized.
As you save your receipts and bills, you’ll see whether your itemized deductions are climbing above the higher standard tax deduction for seniors. This is especially true since the IRS has already announced deduction amounts for next year.
You may find over the course of 2026 that the total of your state and local taxes (property, income, etc.), qualifying medical expenses, and mortgage interest and premiums will exceed the 2026 tax deductions for seniors. These are $24,150 for single filers or $47,500 for married couples filing jointly. In these cases, you’ll want to itemize. (Note: These amounts include the standard deduction, extra standard deduction for seniors, and the bonus deduction per the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”)
Should you decide to itemize, you may wish to hire a tax professional to handle the process. Otherwise, one of the free filing options mentioned above could be your best solution. The IRS encourages you to use an online program, versus paper forms, to avoid mistakes and ensure an accurate tax return.
The IRS has again announced increases to contribution limits for your 401k, IRA, and HSA to keep pace with inflation. This allows you to determine ahead of time if you’ll be able to make those investments in 2026 and reap the tax benefits.
As you make next year’s budget, you’ll also want to plan for any possible charitable donations. If you need to make a required minimum distribution from your IRA, you’ll want to ensure the charity qualifies.
The IRS shares a list of common tax scams designed to steal your personal information and cautions you to be vigilant against IRS impersonators.
IRS employees do not email or text without your permission and will never message you on social media. If the IRS needs to contact you, the first attempt will most likely be by U.S. mail. If you receive a call or message from someone claiming to be the IRS, but did not receive an official letter, stop communication, and contact the IRS. You may also sign up for an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN) assigned by the IRS to help keep you safe from identity theft.
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