Standard vs Itemized Deduction Calculator
Should you take the standard deduction or itemize? Enter your expenses to see which method saves you more money on your taxes.
Needed to calculate medical deduction threshold
Housing Expenses
Charitable Donations
Clothing, household items, etc.
Other Deductions
Only amount over 7.5% of income is deductible
Casualty losses, gambling losses, etc.
Recommended Method
Itemize
Save $9,500 more
~$2,090 in tax savings
Standard Deduction
$15,000
Itemized Total
$24,500
BESTItemized Deduction Breakdown
Capped at $10K (lost $1,000)
Over 7.5% threshold ($7,500)
SALT Cap in Effect
Your state and local taxes total $11,000, but the SALT deduction is capped at $10,000. You're losing $1,000in potential deductions.
What Can Be Itemized?
Mortgage Interest
Interest on up to $750K of mortgage debt
State & Local Taxes
Property + income/sales tax (capped at $10K)
Charitable Gifts
Cash and property to qualified organizations
Medical Expenses
Amount exceeding 7.5% of your AGI
Why Compare Deduction Methods?
Maximize Savings
The difference between standard and itemized can be thousands of dollars. Using the wrong method means paying more tax than necessary.
Plan Strategically
If you're close to the threshold, you can "bunch" deductions—prepaying property taxes or making charitable gifts to push over the standard.
Understand SALT Cap
The $10,000 SALT cap can make itemizing less valuable for high-tax state residents. See exactly how much you're losing to the cap.
2026 Standard Deduction Amounts by Filing Status
The standard deduction is an automatic deduction that reduces your taxable income without requiring documentation of specific expenses. For the 2026 tax year, the amounts are:
| Filing Status | 2026 Standard Deduction | Additional (Age 65+ or Blind) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $15,700 | +$1,600 each |
| Married Filing Jointly | $31,400 | +$1,300 per spouse |
| Married Filing Separately | $15,700 | +$1,300 each |
| Head of Household | $22,500 | +$1,600 each |
Approximately 87% of taxpayers take the standard deduction because the higher amounts enacted by the TCJA (and extended by OBBBA 2025) make itemizing worthwhile only for those with substantial mortgage interest, charitable giving, or medical expenses. If your total itemizable expenses are below your standard deduction, there is no reason to itemize -- the standard deduction is larger and requires no documentation.
SALT Cap, Mortgage Interest, and Charitable Contribution Limits
The three largest itemized deductions for most taxpayers are subject to specific rules and caps:
- SALT deduction (IRC Section 164): State and local income taxes (or sales taxes) plus property taxes, capped at $10,000 ($5,000 MFS). A taxpayer paying $12,000 in state income tax and $8,000 in property tax ($20,000 total) can only deduct $10,000 -- losing $10,000 in potential deductions. This cap primarily impacts residents of high-tax states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
- Mortgage interest (IRC Section 163(h)): Deductible on acquisition debt up to $750,000 ($375,000 MFS). Mortgages originated before December 16, 2017 are grandfathered at the $1,000,000 limit. Second home mortgage interest also qualifies. Home equity loan interest is deductible only if the proceeds were used to buy, build, or substantially improve the home securing the loan.
- Charitable contributions (IRC Section 170): Cash donations to public charities deductible up to 60% of AGI. Appreciated property donations are limited to 30% of AGI. Donations to private foundations are limited to 30% of AGI (cash) or 20% of AGI (property). Excess contributions carry forward for 5 years.
Medical and dental expenses are deductible only for the portion exceeding 7.5% of AGI under IRC Section 213. At $100,000 AGI, the first $7,500 provides zero deduction. Only medical expenses above $7,500 count toward itemized deductions.
The Bunching Strategy and When Itemizing Makes Sense
The bunching strategy concentrates two or more years of deductible expenses into a single tax year to exceed the standard deduction threshold, then takes the standard deduction in alternate years. This is most effective with charitable contributions and property tax prepayments.
Example for a single filer with $15,700 standard deduction in 2026:
| Expense | Annual Amount | Bunched (Every Other Year) |
|---|---|---|
| SALT (capped) | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Mortgage interest | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| Charitable (normal) | $3,000 | $6,000 (2 years) |
| Total itemized | $21,000 | $24,000 |
| Benefit vs. standard | $5,300 extra | $8,300 extra |
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) supercharges bunching: you contribute several years' worth of charitable gifts in one year, take the full deduction, and distribute the funds to charities over subsequent years. A $30,000 DAF contribution in the bunching year generates a $30,000 deduction immediately, even though the actual grants to charities may be spread over 5+ years.
Itemizing is most likely to benefit taxpayers who: own a home with a mortgage over $300,000, live in high-tax states, have significant unreimbursed medical expenses, or make large charitable donations.
Official IRS References
- IRS Schedule A (Form 1040): Itemized Deductions
Official form for claiming itemized deductions
- IRS Publication 501: Standard Deduction Amounts
Current standard deduction amounts by filing status
- IRS Publication 526: Charitable Contributions
Rules for deducting charitable donations
This calculator provides estimates based on your inputs. Actual deductions may vary based on specific rules and limitations. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.