The standard deduction, as defined under United States tax law, is a dollar amount that non-itemizers may subtract from their income and is based upon filing status.

Standard deductions ensure that all taxpayers have at least some income that is not subject to federal income tax. Standard deductions generally increase each year due to inflation. You have the option of claiming the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. However, you can never claim both in the same year. You will find that many states that impose an income tax will also allow you to claim a similar type of deduction on your state income tax return.