§151. Allowance of deductions for personal exemptions

(a) Allowance of deductions

In the case of an individual, the exemptions provided by this section shall be allowed as deductions in computing taxable income.

(b) Taxpayer and spouse

An exemption of the exemption amount for the taxpayer; and an additional exemption of the exemption amount for the spouse of the taxpayer if a joint return is not made by the taxpayer and his spouse, and if the spouse, for the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins, has no gross income and is not the dependent of another taxpayer.

(c) Additional exemption for dependents

(1) In general

An exemption of the exemption amount for each dependent (as defined in section 152)-

(A) whose gross income for the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins is less than the exemption amount, or

(B) who is a child of the taxpayer and who (i) has not attained the age of 19 at the close of the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins, or (ii) is a student who has not attained the age of 24 at the close of such calendar year.

(2) Exemption denied in case of certain married dependents

No exemption shall be allowed under this subsection for any dependent who has made a joint return with his spouse under section 6013 for the taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins.

(3) Child defined

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the term "child" means an individual who (within the meaning of section 152) is a son, stepson, daughter, or stepdaughter of the taxpayer.

(4) Student defined

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the term "student" means an individual who during each of 5 calendar months during the calendar year in which the taxable year of the taxpayer begins-

(A) is a full-time student at an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii); or

(B) is pursuing a full-time course of institutional on-farm training under the supervision of an accredited agent of an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) or of a State or political subdivision of a State.

(5) Certain income of handicapped dependents not taken into account

(A) In general

For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the gross income of an individual who is permanently and totally disabled shall not include income attributable to services performed by the individual at a sheltered workshop if-

(i) the availability of medical care at such workshop is the principal reason for his presence there, and

(ii) the income arises solely from activities at such workshop which are incident to such medical care.

(B) Sheltered workshop defined

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "sheltered workshop" means a school-

(i) which provides special instruction or training designed to alleviate the disability of the individual, and

(ii) which is operated by-

(I) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from tax under section 501(a), or

(II) a State, a possession of the United States, any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, the United States, or the District of Columbia.

(C) Permanent and total disability defined

An individual shall be treated as permanently and totally disabled for purposes of this paragraph if such individual would be so treated under paragraph (3) of section 22(e).

(d) Exemption amount

For purposes of this section-

(1) In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "exemption amount" means $2,000.

(2) Exemption amount disallowed in case of certain dependents

In the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual's taxable year begins, the exemption amount applicable to such individual for such individual's taxable year shall be zero.

(3) Phaseout

(A) In general

In the case of any taxpayer whose adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds the threshold amount, the exemption amount shall be reduced by the applicable percentage.

(B) Applicable percentage

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "applicable percentage" means 2 percentage points for each $2,500 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds the threshold amount. In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting "$1,250" for "$2,500". In no event shall the applicable percentage exceed 100 percent.

(C) Threshold amount

For purposes of this paragraph, the term "threshold amount" means-

(i) $150,000 in the case of a joint of a ¹ return or a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)),

(ii) $125,000 in the case of a head of a household (as defined in section 2(b),²

(iii) $100,000 in the case of an individual who is not married and who is not a surviving spouse or head of a household, and

(iv) $75,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return.

For purposes of this paragraph, marital status shall be determined under section 7703.

(D) Coordination with other provisions

The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply for purposes of determining whether a deduction under this section with respect to any individual is allowable to another taxpayer for any taxable year.

(4) Inflation adjustments

(A) Adjustment to basic amount of exemption

In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1989, the dollar amount contained in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to-

(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting "calendar year 1988" for "calendar year 1992" in subparagraph (B) thereof.

(B) Adjustment to threshold amounts for years after 1991

In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1991, each dollar amount contained in paragraph (3)(C) shall be increased by an amount equal to-

(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting "calendar year 1990" for "calendar year 1992" in subparagraph (B) thereof.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 42 ; Dec. 30, 1969, Pub. L. 91–172, title VIII, §801(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), title IX, §941(b), 83 Stat. 675 , 676, 726; Dec. 10, 1971, Pub. L. 92–178, title II, §201(a)(1), (b)(1), (c), 85 Stat. 510 , 511; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1901(a)(23), 90 Stat. 1767 ; Nov. 6, 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, title I, §102(a), 92 Stat. 2771 ; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, title I, §104(c), 95 Stat. 189 ; July 18, 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, §426(a), 98 Stat. 804 ; Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, title I, §103, title XVIII, §1847(b)(3), 100 Stat. 2102 , 2856; Nov. 10, 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, §6010(a), 102 Stat. 3691 ; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§11101(d)(1)(F), 11104(a), 104 Stat. 1388–405 , 1388-407; July 3, 1992, Pub. L. 102–318, title V, §511, 106 Stat. 300 ; Aug. 10, 1993, Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§13201(b)(3)(G), 13205, 107 Stat. 459 , 462.)

Personal Exemption Adjustment for Tax Years Beginning in 1995

For adjustment of personal exemption under subsection (d) of this section for tax years beginning in 1995, see section 3.08 of Revenue Procedure 94–72, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendments

1993-Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 103–66, §13205, struck out heading and text of subpar. (E). Text read as follows: "This paragraph shall not apply to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1996."

Subsec. (d)(4)(A)(ii), (B)(ii). Pub. L. 103–66, §13201(b)(3)(G), substituted "1992" for "1989".

1992-Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 102–318 substituted "1996" for "1995".

1990-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–508, §11104(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "For purposes of this section-

"(1) In general.-Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term 'exemption amount' means-

"(A) $1,900 for taxable years beginning during 1987,

"(B) $1,950 for taxable years beginning during 1988, and

"(C) $2,000 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1988.

"(2) Exemption amount disallowed in the case of certain dependents.-In the case of an individual with respect to whom a deduction under this section is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual's taxable year begins, the exemption amount applicable to such individual for such individual's taxable year shall be zero.

"(3) Inflation adjustment for years after 1989.-In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1989, the dollar amount contained in paragraph (1)(C) shall be increased by an amount equal to-

"(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by

"(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3), for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting 'calendar year 1988' for 'calendar year 1987' in subparagraph (B) thereof."

Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, §11101(d)(1)(F), substituted "1989" for "1987".

1988-Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647 inserted "who has not attained the age of 24 at the close of such calendar year" after "student".

1986-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–514, §103(b), redesignated subsec. (e) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which provided for an additional exemption for taxpayer or spouse aged 65 or more.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–514, §103(b), redesignated subsec. (f) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which provided for an additional exemption for blindness of taxpayer or spouse.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–514, §103(b), redesignated subsec. (e) as (c).

Pub. L. 99–514, §1847(b)(3), substituted "section 22(e)" for "section 37(e)" in par. (5)(C).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–514, §103(b), redesignated subsec. (f) as (d).

Pub. L. 99–514, §103(a), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows: "For purposes of this section, the term 'exemption amount' means, with respect to any taxable year, $1,000 increased by an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment (as defined in section 1(f)(3)) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins. If the amount determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10 (or if such amount is a multiple of $5, such amount shall be increased to the next highest multiple of $10)."

1984-Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 98–369 added par. (5).

1981-Subsecs. (b), (c), (d)(1), (2), (e)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, §104(c)(1), substituted "the exemption amount" for "$1,000" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97–34, §104(c)(2), added subsec. (f).

1978-Pub. L. 95–600 increased exemption from $750 to $1,000 with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1978.

1976-Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "and educational institution" after "Student" in heading, substituted in subpars. (A) and (B) "organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)" for "institution", and struck out provisions following subpar. (B) defining educational institution.

1971-Pub. L. 92–178 increased exemption from $650 to $675 with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1970, and before Jan. 1, 1972, and from $675 to $750 with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971.

1969-Pub. L. 91–172, §801(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), increased exemption from $600 to $625 with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1969, and before Jan. 1, 1971, from $625 to $650 for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1970, and before Jan. 1, 1972, from $650 to $700 for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971, and before Jan. 1, 1973, and from $700 to $750 for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1972.

Subsecs. (b), (c), Pub. L. 91–172, §941(b), substituted "if a joint return is not made by the taxpayer and his spouse" for "if a separate return is made by the taxpayer".

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by section 13201(b)(3)(G) of Pub. L. 103–66 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1992, see section 13201(c) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by section 11101(d)(1)(F) of Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1990, see section 11101(e) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 11104(a) of Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1990, see section 11104(c) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Section 6010(b) of Pub. L. 100–647 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1988."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 103 of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 1847(b)(3) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Section 426(b) of Pub. L. 98–369 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1984."

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1984, see section 104(e) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Section 102(d)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600 provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and sections 6012 and 6013 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978."

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.

Effective Date of 1971 Amendment

Section 201(a), (b) of Pub. L. 92–178 provided in part that the increase in exemption from $650 to $675 was effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1970, and before Jan. 1, 1972, and from $675 to $750 was effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971.

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Section 801(a)(1) of Pub. L. 91–172 provided in part that the increase in exemption from $600 to $625 is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1969, and before Jan. 1, 1971.

Section 801(b)(1) of Pub. L. 91–172 provided in part that the increase in the exemption from $625 to $650 is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1970, and before Jan. 1, 1972.

Section 941(c) of Pub. L. 91–172 provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) [amending section 6012 of this title] and (b) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969."

Repeals

Section 801(c)(1), (d)(1) of Pub. L. 91–172 provided for an increase in the personal exemption to $700, effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971, and before Jan. 1, 1973, and to $750, effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1972, prior to repeal by section 201(c) of Pub. L. 92–178.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Cross References

Adjusted gross income minus standard deduction and deductions for personal exemptions as taxable income, see section 63 of this title.

Adjustment in deduction for personal exemption on making return for short period, see section 443 of this title.

Deduction for personal exemptions not allowed in self-employment partnership income, see section 1402 of this title.

Nonresident alien entitled to benefits of this section, see section 874 of this title.

Partnership not entitled to personal exemptions under this section, see section 703 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 1, 2, 21, 32, 56, 63, 129, 132, 135, 152, 153, 172, 443, 642, 703, 873, 874, 891, 904, 931, 933, 1212, 1402, 2032A, 3402, 6012, 6013, 6109, 6334, 7703 of this title.

¹ So in original. Words "of a" probably should not appear.

² So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should precede the comma.