The Internal Revenue Service has special, higher standard-deduction amounts for taxpayers age 65 or older. In addition, there is a similar break for the blind, regardless of age. The option to take both of these bigger tax breaks is found just below the line where you enter your adjusted gross income on the 1040 or 1040A return; remember, older and visually impaired filers can't use the 1040EZ form.

On those two longer tax return forms, you'll find boxes to check if you or your spouse are older or visually impaired.

If you're able to check one or both of these boxes, then ignore the standard deduction amounts shown on your return. Instead, head to the instruction book for Form 1040 or 1040A, where you'll find a work sheet to compute the larger amount you can subtract.

As with the regular standard deduction, the exact amount of this elderly or blind standard deduction depends on your filing status. It could translate into a deduction hike of up to $4,400 for some filers.

Accounting for all variables

These added tax savings are computed for each instance in which a taxpayer -- and his or her spouse -- meets IRS requirements.

For example, a younger single filer gets a standard deduction on his 2010 return of $5,700. A single senior filer's amount is $6,800, an increase of $1,100. If the older taxpayer also is blind, then his or her standard deduction jumps to $7,900.

Married couples who file jointly get to consider each partner's eligibility in determining their increased standard deduction amount. An older husband and his older wife can claim a standard deduction of $13,600. That's $2,200 more than a younger married couple can deduct.

Another $1,100 each would be allowed if the senior husband and wife each were blind, bringing their standard deduction up to the maximum $15,800 -- $4,400 more than allowed younger-than-65 joint filers with no visual problems.

A larger deduction amount also applies to older and blind taxpayers who are able to use head-of-household or married-filing-separately status.

Vision considerations

Age is not a factor in considering the extra deduction for blindness; young filers with this impairment are eligible for a larger standard deduction, too.

You don't have to be totally blind to qualify. You can check the blind box if you have a statement certified by your eye doctor or registered optometrist that:

• Even with glasses or contact lenses, you cannot see better than 20/200 in your better eye.
• Your field of vision is 20 degrees or less.

If your eye condition is not likely to improve beyond the conditions listed above, you can get a doctor's statement noting this instead. There's no need to file the statement, but keep it in your tax records.

For many older and visually impaired taxpayers, these enhanced standard deduction amounts are more than they would get if they itemized. And they definitely are a lot less work.

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