Whether you've already retired or are remaining part of the workforce for a few years, taxes are part of your financial future. And while you're probably not looking forward to tax season, that could change as you get older.
Americans age 50 and up receive crucial age-based tax breaks that can make life a little easier after retirement.
Keep reading to learn about eight useful tax benefits of aging that could help boost your bank account.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Catch-up contributions for IRAs
/images/2024/04/16/ira-labelled-golden-egg-on-cash.jpeg)
Contributions made to traditional IRAs are tax deductible, so they lower your overall taxable income for the year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulates how much you can contribute to a traditional IRA over a single tax year.
For instance, for the 2025 tax year, individuals may contribute a maximum of $7,000 across all of their IRAs, including both traditional and Roth IRAs.
However, once you turn 50, you're allowed to make additional tax-deductible contributions to traditional IRAs, helping you build wealth faster.
For the 2025 tax year, those 50+ could contribute an extra $1,000 to their accounts. If you go this route, you could lower your taxable income by saving more for retirement.
Penalty-free IRA withdrawals
/images/2024/04/16/happy-senior-woman-holding-money.jpeg)
While individuals are allowed to make withdrawals from IRAs before they retire, those withdrawals are usually subject to a 10% tax penalty (with a handful of exceptions for certain pressing financial emergencies).
However, once you turn 59 1/2, you may start withdrawing money from your IRAs without incurring the penalty fee. You'll still need to report any withdrawals as income, but you'll only have to worry about typical income taxes, not an extra tax penalty.
Catch-up contributions for HSAs
/images/2024/04/16/hsa-blocks-money-bag-with-stethoscope.jpeg)
Health savings accounts HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that usually go hand-in-hand with high-deductible insurance plans.
For the 2025 tax year, individuals are allowed to contribute up to $1,000 to an HSA. Families on high-deductible insurance plans may contribute up to $1,000. The amount you don't use during the year rolls over.
As with traditional IRAs, older individuals are allowed to contribute an extra $1,000 per person to their HSAs once they reach age 55.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
Penalty-free HSA withdrawals for non-medical expenses
/images/2024/04/16/hsa-health-savings-account-sticky-note.jpeg)
Typically, funds from HSAs must be used to cover specific medical expenses. If you withdraw the funds for another purpose, you'll be hit with a 20% tax penalty — unless you're at least 65.
At that age, you can withdraw HSA funds to use for any purpose, not just medical expenses. You'll pay a typical income tax on any withdrawn funds, but no additional tax penalty will apply.
Additional standard deduction
/images/2024/04/16/united-states-1040-tax-form-rules.jpeg)
Many U.S. taxpayers qualify for the IRS's "standard deduction," which is a set dollar amount deducted from your gross income to lower your overall taxable income for the year.
For the 2025 tax year, that deduction will be $15,000 if you file as an individual or are married but filing separately. The standard deduction rises to $30,000 for those who are married and filing jointly.
However, if you celebrate your 65th birthday before the end of the tax year (or are already over 65), you qualify for a higher standard deduction on that year's taxes.
For the 2025 tax year, you'll get an extra $2,000 added to your standard deduction. Married couples filing jointly get an extra $1,600 per person.
The standard deduction also increases if either you or your qualifying spouse is blind.
Trending Stories
Qualified charitable distributions made directly from IRAs
/images/2024/04/16/senior-man-working-from-home.jpeg)
Once you turn 73, your IRAs are subject to the required minimum distributions (RMDs). This means you'll need to start withdrawing a certain amount of funds from any traditional IRAs and reporting those funds as taxable income.
However, if you're at least 70 1/2, you can use money from your IRA to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). The money you donate won't be taxed, but it will count toward your required minimum distribution, which can keep your tax burden manageable.
State-based property tax relief
/images/2024/04/16/investment-advisor-consulting-retired-woman.jpeg)
Some states offer property tax benefits for elderly property owners. Benefits differ from state to state, so you'll need to check with your state government to find out if property tax relief is available and, if it is, how much tax assistance you qualify for.
Free tax counseling through TCE
/images/2024/04/16/senior-couple-consulting-female-finance-advisor.jpeg)
No matter how many years old (or young) you are, taxes are complicated. Luckily, once you turn 60, the federal government offers additional tax-filing assistance through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program.
Plus, in most cases, you should be able to file your taxes for free once you reach senior status. Check the IRS's TCE locator tool to find your closest TCE location.
Bottom line
/images/2024/04/15/senior-couple-consulting-female-finance-advisor.jpeg)
Aging can come with many financial challenges, but taxes don't have to be among them.
As you approach retirement, take advantage of these age-related tax breaks. Every penny saved counts toward a stress-free retirement.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.1 <p>See website for details.</p> No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.
Become a member and enjoy discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, and more.
Helps to identify and prevent fraud in real-time with 24/7 U.S.-based support.
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.