Submitted By: someone
Answered: January 17, 2021 8:08 pm

My spouse is legally blind; I’m not. How does this impact our standard deduction on a joint return?

The additional standard deduction amount for blindness applies per person. If one spouse is blind, the couple’s standard deduction is increased by one additional amount for a married person ($1,300 on a 2020 return). If both spouses are blind, the additional standard deduction amount on a 2020 return is $2,600 ($1,300 + $1,300). The additional standard deduction amount for a married person who is blind in 2021 is $1,350.

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Tax Glossary

Deductions

Items directly reducing income. Personal deductions such as for mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions are allowed only if deductions are itemized on Schedule A, but deductions such as for alimony, capital losses, moving expenses to a new job location, business losses, student loan interest, and IRA and Keogh deductions are deducted from gross income even if itemized deductions are not claimed.

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