Standard vs. Itemized

§ 63. Taxable income defined(a) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), for purposes of this subtitle, the term “taxable income” means gross income minus the deductions allowed by this chapter (other than the standard deduction). (b) Individuals who do not itemize their deductionsIn the case of an individual who does not elect to itemize his deductions for the taxable year, for purposes of this subtitle, the term “taxable income” means adjusted gross income, minus—(1) the standard deduction, (2) the deduction for personal exemptions provided in section 151, (3) any deduction provided in section 199A, (4) the deduction provided in section 170(p), (5) the deduction provided in section 224, (6) the deduction provided in section 225 and 11 So in original. Probably should be preceded by a comma. (7) so much of the deduction allowed by section 163(a) as is attributable to the exception under section 163(h)(4)(A). (c) Standard deductionFor purposes of this subtitle—(1) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “standard deduction” means the sum of—(A) the basic standard deduction, and (B) the additional standard deduction. (2) Basic standard deductionFor purposes of paragraph (1), the basic standard deduction is—(A) 200 percent of the dollar amount in effect under subparagraph (C) for the taxable year in the case of—(i) a joint return, or (ii) a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)), (B) $4,400 in the case of a head of household (as defined in section 2(b)), or (C) $3,000 in any other case. (3) Additional standard deduction for aged and blindFor purposes of paragraph (1), the additional standard deduction is the sum of each additional amount to which the taxpayer is entitled under subsection (f). (4) Adjustments for inflationIn the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1988, each dollar amount contained in paragraph (2)(B), (2)(C), or (5) or subsection (f) shall be increased by an amount equal to—(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof—(i) “calendar year 1987” in the case of the dollar amounts contained in paragraph (2)(B), (2)(C), or (5)(A) or subsection (f), and (ii) “calendar year 1997” in the case of the dollar amount contained in paragraph (5)(B). (5) Limitation on basic standard deduction in the case of certain dependentsIn the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual’s taxable year begins, the basic standard deduction applicable to such individual for such individual’s taxable year shall not exceed the greater of—(A) $500, or (B) the sum of $250 and such individual’s earned income.