The IRS standard deductions for married people filing jointly in the 2023 tax year was $27,700—an increase of $1,800 for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions on Form 1040. This amount in standard deductions allows married couples to reduce their taxable income, and hence, reduce the amount owed in tax.
If you and your spouse have combined deductible expense of less than $27,700, consider claiming a standard deduction as it will result in a lower taxable income for you, saving you money.
What is married filing jointly?
This is a tax filing status available to married couples who want to file their taxes together. Because they are allowed to combine their individual benefits, couples filing jointly get a higher standard deduction amount compared to single filers, heads of households and those married filing separately
Eligibility for joint filing in the US
Married couples in the US can file their tax returns singly, or together as a couple. However, you and your spouse must meet the following requirements to file a joint tax return.
- Must have been legally married by December 2023. This includes:
- Couples who live together in a common law marriage recognized by the state where the marriage began. States with common law includes Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.
- Couples who live apart but are not legally separated
- Taxpayers whose spouses died during the year and who have not remarried
- Both parties must consent to, and agree to file a joint tax return.
You are NOT eligible for joint filing if you are:
- Divorced or legally separated by the end of the 2023 tax year
- Married to more than one person—you are married to one person before finalizing a divorce
If your spouse died during the 2023 tax year, you may still file jointly for that year as the IRS considers you married for the entire tax year. If you remarry in the same year your spouse died, you can’t file jointly with your deceased spouse. You must file separately or jointly with your new partner.
2023 standard deductions for married filing jointly
The 2023 standard deduction for married couples filing jointly is $27,700. This amount applies to tax returns filed by April 15, 2024, and those whose filing deadlines were extended to July, October 15, or November 1, 2024.
The amount you get for 2023 standard deductions for joint tax filing is based on age. The standard deduction amount for couples less than 65 years and filing jointly is $27,700. If one spouse is 65 years or older, the standard deduction is $29,200. If both spouses are older that 70 years, they are eligible for $30,700 in standard deductions.
This table shows how much standard deductions 2023, taxpayers are eligible to when married but filing jointly.
| Both spouses are less than 65 years | $27,700 |
| One spouse is 65 years or older | $29,200 |
| Both spouses are 65 years or older | $30,700 |
