Tax exemption amounts

Taxes » Tax Credits » 2012 Tax Exemption Amounts

You can take an exemption deduction for yourself, your spouse and each dependent you claim. On 2012 returns, this exemption amount is $3,800 per person, $100 more than in 2011.

You claim each allowable exemption on the first page of the Form 1040 or 1040A. There is no special area for exemptions on Form 1040EZ. Because this form is for taxpayers without dependents, the exemption amount is accounted for in the standard deduction amounts shown on that tax return for single or married taxpayers.

For every person who qualifies as an exemption, you'll need to include that person's Social Security number on your return. If these tax identification numbers are missing, the Internal Revenue Service could disallow the exemption claim.

In recent years, the personal exemption amount was reduced for higher-income taxpayers. The phaseout rule, however, does not apply to the 2012 tax year.