Question

The book is Federal Income Taxation 2020

On page 3-7 (Section 3-1b, Standard Deduction), the text notes that individuals are allowed “additional standard deductions” if they are age 65 or older or if they are blind. On page 3-8, the text notes that the amount of a taxpayer’s basic standard deduction may be limited for 2019 to the greater of $1,100 or the sum of $350 plus the taxpayer’s earned income if the taxpayer may be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

1. What are the rules for determining if an individual is 65 or older for purposes of claiming an additional standard deduction on his or her calendar 2019 return?

2. What are the rules for determining whether an individual is blind for purposes of claiming an additional standard deduction on his or her calendar 2019 return?

3. If an individual can be claimed as a dependent on another person’s return, what reductions, if any, must be made to the amounts of his or her additional standard deductions for being age 65 or older or for being blind?

Answer 1

Q.1 What are the rules for determining if an individual is 65 or older for purposes of claiming an additional standard deduction on his or her calendar 2019 return

Ans : Individual will be allowed an additional deduction if his age 65 or older at the end of the tax year. He will be considered to be 65 on the day before his 65th birthday

Above requirement will be satisfied if such person is born on or before 1st Jan 1955

Q.2  What are the rules for determining whether an individual is blind for purposes of claiming an additional standard deduction on his or her calendar 2019 return?

Ans.2 : Individual is allowed an additional deduction for blindness if he is blind on the last day of the tax year

Above requirement will be satisfied if such person is blind on 31st December 2019

Q.3 If an individual can be claimed as a dependent on another person’s return, what reductions, if any, must be made to the amounts of his or her additional standard deductions for being age 65 or older or for being blind?

Ans. 3 : Standard deduction may be reduced if Individual is claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return. If Individual were another person's dependent during a Tax Year, his standard deduction will generally be limited to the greater of $1,100 or his earned income plus $350