§ 63. Taxable income defined
(a)
In general
Except 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 deductions
In 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—
(c)
Standard deduction
For purposes of this subtitle—
(1)
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “standard deduction” means the sum of—
(2)
Basic standard deduction
For purposes of paragraph (1), the basic standard deduction is—
(3)
Additional standard deduction for aged and blind
For 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 inflation
In 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—
(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 1992” in subparagraph (B) thereof—
(5)
Limitation on basic standard deduction in the case of certain dependents
In 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—
(6)
Certain individuals, etc., not eligible for standard deduction
In the case of—
(C)
an individual making a return under section
443
(a)(1) for a period of less than 12 months on account of a change in his annual accounting period, or
the standard deduction shall be zero.
(7)
Real property tax deduction
For purposes of paragraph (1), the real property tax deduction is the lesser of—
(d)
Itemized deductions
For purposes of this subtitle, the term “itemized deductions” means the deductions allowable under this chapter other than—
(e)
Election to itemize
(1)
In general
Unless an individual makes an election under this subsection for the taxable year, no itemized deduction shall be allowed for the taxable year. For purposes of this subtitle, the determination of whether a deduction is allowable under this chapter shall be made without regard to the preceding sentence.
(2)
Time and manner of election
Any election under this subsection shall be made on the taxpayer’s return, and the Secretary shall prescribe the manner of signifying such election on the return.
(3)
Change of election
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a change of election with respect to itemized deductions for any taxable year may be made after the filing of the return for such year. If the spouse of the taxpayer filed a separate return for any taxable year corresponding to the taxable year of the taxpayer, the change shall not be allowed unless, in accordance with such regulations—
(A)
the spouse makes a change of election with respect to itemized deductions, for the taxable year covered in such separate return, consistent with the change of treatment sought by the taxpayer, and
(B)
the taxpayer and his spouse consent in writing to the assessment (within such period as may be agreed on with the Secretary) of any deficiency, to the extent attributable to such change of election, even though at the time of the filing of such consent the assessment of such deficiency would otherwise be prevented by the operation of any law or rule of law.
This paragraph shall not apply if the tax liability of the taxpayer’s spouse for the taxable year corresponding to the taxable year of the taxpayer has been compromised under section
7122.
(f)
Aged or blind additional amounts
(2)
Additional amount for blind
The taxpayer shall be entitled to an additional amount of $600—
(B)
for the spouse of the taxpayer if the spouse is blind as of the close of the taxable year and an additional exemption is allowable to the taxpayer for such spouse under section
151
(b).
For purposes of subparagraph (B), if the spouse dies during the taxable year the determination of whether such spouse is blind shall be made as of the time of such death.
(3)
Higher amount for certain unmarried individuals
In the case of an individual who is not married and is not a surviving spouse, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be applied by substituting “$750” for “$600”.
(4)
Blindness defined
For purposes of this subsection, an individual is blind only if his central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses, or if his visual acuity is greater than 20/200 but is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.
(g)
Marital status
For purposes of this section, marital status shall be determined under section
7703.