Exemption Credits

Step
3
Step Subject
Exemption Credits
Instruction Year
2020

YOU (and spouse if filing status 2)

a. Personal Credit

If you are filing single (filing status 1) or married filing separately on a combined return (status 3) or married filing separate returns (status 4) or qualifying widow(er) (status 6), enter 1 in the Personal Credit space.

If you are filing married filing joint (status 2) or head of household (status 5), you are eligible for an extra credit and should enter 2 in the Personal Credit space.

Add the number of personal credits and multiply by $40. Enter this amount on the $ line.

Note to dependents filing their own returns:

You may claim a $40 personal exemption credit even if you are claimed as a dependent on another person's Iowa return.

b. Additional Personal Credit: 65 or older or blind

If you were 65 or older on or before January 1, 2021

You may take an additional personal credit. If your spouse was 65 or older on or before January 1, 2021, and you are filing a joint return (status 2), you may take an additional personal credit for your spouse.

If you were blind on December 31, 2020

You may take an additional personal credit. If your spouse was blind on December 31, 2020, and you are filing a joint return (status 2), you may take an additional personal credit for your spouse.

Add the number of credits for 65 or older and blind and multiply by $20. Enter this amount on the $ line.

c. Dependents: Consult IRS Publication 17 to learn who qualifies as a dependent.

Enter the number of dependent children and other dependents you are claiming for federal income tax purposes. Add the number of dependent credits and multiply by $40. Enter this amount on the $ line.

Federal tax law determines whether or not a person is a dependent. Consult IRS Publication 17 to learn who qualifies as a dependent. The IRS has guidelines that also determine which parent/guardian can claim a dependent when separate returns are filed (such as in the case of divorced parents). The Iowa tax law follows federal guidelines.

d. Dependent Name(s)

Enter the first name(s) of the claimed dependents. Also enter their last name(s) if different than yours.

e. Total

Add the dollar amounts and enter on the TOTAL line and on line 43, column A. 

SPOUSE (Complete only if married filing separately on a combined return, filing status 3.)

a. Personal Credit

Enter 1 in the first space and multiply by $40. Enter $40 on the $ line.

b. Additional Personal Credit: 65 or older and / or blind

If your spouse was 65 or older on or before January 1, 2021

Your spouse may take an additional personal credit.

If your spouse was blind on or before December 31, 2020

Your spouse may take an additional personal credit.

Add the number of credits for 65 or older and blind and multiply by $20. Enter this amount on the $ line.

c. Dependents

Enter the number of dependent children and other dependents the spouse is claiming for federal income tax purposes. Add the number of dependent credits and multiply by $40. Enter this amount on the $ line.

Federal tax law determines whether or not a person is a dependent. Consult IRS Publication 17 to learn who qualifies as a dependent. The IRS has guidelines that also determine which parent/guardian can claim a dependent when separate returns are filed (such as in the case of divorced parents). The tax law follows federal guidelines.

d. Dependent Name(s)

Enter the first name(s) of the claimed dependents. Also enter their last name(s) if different than yours.

e. Total

Add the dollar amounts and enter on the TOTAL line and on line 43, column B. 


Married Separate Filers:

You may divide the number of dependents you claim between you and your spouse. However, you may not divide any one dependent between spouses. Each spouse must claim their own exemption credits and may not claim any unused part of their spouse's credit.


Source URL: https://tax.iowa.gov/expanded-instructions/exemption-credits-2020