Standard Deduction for Married Taxpayers Increased. For 2003 and 2004, the standard deduction for married taxpayers filing a joint return has been increased to 200% of the single taxpayer’s standard deduction. For 2005, the standard deduction for married joint filers will be reduced to 174% of the single standard deduction. For 2006 and 2007, it will be increased to 187% of the single deduction. For 2008 it will be increased to 190%, and in 2009 it will be increased again to 200% of the single standard deduction.

The standard deduction for a married taxpayer filing a separate return will be the same as for a single taxpayer. For 2003, the standard deduction for taxpayers filing a joint return will be increased to $9,500; for single filers, the standard deduction will be increased to $4,750.

For many taxpayers, this could mean that it will be more beneficial to take the standard deduction than to itemize deductions, even if they have itemized in the past.

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