Final answer:
The standard deduction was increased by Congress in 2018.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is False. Beginning in 2018, Congress did increase the standard deduction. The standard deduction is a set amount of money that individuals can subtract from their taxable income to reduce their overall tax liability.
Before 2018, the standard deduction for single individuals was $6,350. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in December 2017, significantly increased the standard deduction. For tax year 2018, the standard deduction for single individuals increased to $12,000.
This change in the standard deduction was part of a larger overhaul of the tax code, which aimed to simplify the tax filing process and provide tax relief to individuals and families.