Which statement correctly describes the age determination when a taxpayer's 65th birthday falls on January 1?

• A. They are considered 66 on December 31st.
• B. They are considered 64 on December 31st.
• C. They are considered 65 on December 31st.
• D. They are considered 65 on January 1st.

Answer: (C)

Age for tax purposes is determined as of December 31 of the tax year, and that age can affect eligibility for certain credits or a higher standard deduction. If a taxpayer’s 65th birthday is on January 1, they turn 65 at the very start of the year, so by December 31 they are already 65. That makes the person 65 on December 31, which is why the correct statement is that they are considered 65 on December 31. They would not be 66 by year’s end (that would happen on January 1 of the following year), and they would not be 64 on December 31 since they’ve already turned 65.