Overview
- Taxpayers qualify if they were at least 65 by December 31, 2025, with a $6,000 deduction per person or $12,000 for two qualifying spouses, and a work-authorized Social Security number is required.
- The full benefit applies to singles with modified AGI below $75,000 and to married couples below $175,000, then phases down by 6 cents per dollar and ends above $175,000 for singles and $250,000 for joint filers.
- The deduction is available to both standard-deduction and itemizing filers and is in addition to the existing $2,000 deduction for seniors.
- The provision lowers taxable income but does not exempt Social Security benefits from federal income tax, and it can be claimed even by seniors not yet receiving Social Security.
- A White House Council of Economic Advisers analysis estimates the average eligible senior will gain about $670, and the measure is temporary through the 2028 tax year.