NewsPublished: Feb. 05, 2026, 11:42 a.m.
Seniors can qualify for a new tax deduction this tax season due to President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act which passed in July 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file)ASSOCIATED PRESS
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Retirees can save thousands of dollars this tax season with a sparkling new deduction.
Naturally, to obtain the deduction, filers must be at least 65 years old — the widely accepted age of when an American is considered a senior — prior to the end of 2025.
Here’s what you need to know:
The filer, if single, must have a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less; if married, the couple must have a modified adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less in order to qualify. Additionally, one or both Social Security numbers must be printed on the returns. If the modified adjusted gross income goes over the required figure, it is possible for a smaller deduction to be claimed. The deductions max out at $6,000 and $12,000 for single filers and married filers, respectively. The deduction reduces the overall taxable income a senior has, which could impact the money refunded to said senior. This deduction is only active for four tax seasons: 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028. Introduced in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act that passed into law in July 2025, the legislation only supplies the deduction for the aforementioned tax years. What happens afterwards is unclear. To obtain the deduction all depends on how the filer submits their taxes. If a filer uses a digital tool to submit their taxes, the tool ought to inquire about their eligibility for the deduction once the filer’s information is inputted. If applicable, the tool should move forward with it applied. If a filer uses an accountant, then they can bring it up to the accountant if the accountant doesn’t inquire about eligibility.
Jillian Delaney is an award-winning journalist with a master’s degree in Journalism Innovation from Syracuse University. She is a native Staten Islander who reports on local news, national politics, and climate… more