5 Expenses You Can Still Deduct in 2026 — Even If You Take the Standard Deduction
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
With the standard deduction higher than ever — $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $16,100 for single filers — most Americans no longer itemize. But that does not mean your opportunity to reduce taxable income disappears.
Many taxpayers assume that choosing the standard deduction eliminates any additional write-offs. That misconception costs money, according to Randall Brody, an IRS enrolled agent and founder of Tax Samaritan.
“The standard deduction simply replaces itemized deductions such as mortgage interest or state taxes. It does not eliminate adjustments that reduce income before taxable income is even calculated,” he explained.
While above-the-line adjustments are available to both those who itemize and those who take the standard deduction, there are potential limitations for certain taxpayers, such as high earners, said John A. Madison, CPA. Here are five deductions to consider.
1. Retirement Contributions That Reduce AGI in 2026
Retirement savings remain one of the most powerful ways to lower income even if you take the standard deduction, according to Gene Bott, a CPA and partner at Kevin O’Leary’s Tax Hive.
This includes employer-funded IRAs, self-employment retirement plans and 401(k) plans. The exception is Roth retirement accounts, which don’t reduce your AGI, Bott said.
Brody said it’s common for taxpayers to delay retirement contributions until year-end without realizing they still have time to fund certain accounts and reduce prior-year taxable income. For higher earners, this can mean the difference between staying within a tax bracket or spilling into the next.
2. HSA Contributions
If you have a high-deductible health plan, a health savings account (HSA) remains one of the most efficient tax tools to reduce your AGI, Brody said. That reduction can then make you eligible for other deductions or tax credits.
Madison said HSAs offer “a triple tax benefit: The contribution is deductible, the growth is tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.”
If you use the funds for qualifying healthcare expenses, the funds come out tax-free, as well.
3. Student Loan Interest and Education Credits
Standard deduction filers can also deduct student loan interest. According to the IRS, taxpayers can deduct “the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest you actually paid during the year.” It does phase out at certain income levels, however.
Bott added that taxpayers who are in school should be aware of the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Credits can be even more powerful than deductions, Brody added, “because they reduce tax liability dollar for dollar.”
4. New in 2026 — Charitable Cash Deduction for Non-Itemizers
While charitable deductions typically require itemizing, 2026 introduces a new deduction for charitable contributions made in cash for non-itemizers. “This deduction is limited to $1,000 for single taxpayers and $2,000 for joint filers,” Madison said.
This creates an additional opportunity for taxpayers who previously saw no benefit from smaller annual gifts.
5. Self-Employed Taxpayers Have Additional Adjustments
Business owners and freelancers have even more flexibility because they can deduct one-half of self-employment tax, health insurance premiums paid for themselves and their families and certain business-related adjustments that reduce overall taxable income before the standard deduction is even applied, Madison said.
Qualified business income deductions may also apply for eligible taxpayers.
The Biggest Mistake Standard Deduction Filers Make
The biggest mistake, Madison said, is to automatically assume that there are no additional deductions. “Always review the eligible above-the-line deductions that are available to see if you qualify. The standard deduction simplifies filing, but it does not eliminate opportunity.”
More From GoBankingRates
