As tax documents arrive in February mailboxes, seniors are facing a new calculus for the 2025 tax year. The Standard Deduction for filers over age 65 has increased significantly due to inflation indexing, making the “easy” route of the Standard Deduction more lucrative than ever before. In 2026, the additional deduction for seniors (often called the “Senior Boost”) means a married couple over 65 can shield nearly $32,000 of income from federal taxes without finding a single receipt. This shift is causing many who historically itemized to switch strategies this February. Understanding how this expanded deduction interacts with your medical expenses and state taxes is the key to minimizing your liability.
