How to use the standard vs itemized deduction calculator
- 1 Enter your adjusted gross income and choose your filing status.
- 2 Choose how many people are 65 or older or blind.
- 3 Enter your mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable gifts and medical expenses.
- 4 See which route wins and how much tax it saves.
Worked example
A married couple with $120,000 of income, $11,000 of mortgage interest, $14,000 of state and local taxes, $3,000 of gifts and $2,000 of medical costs. Itemized deductions total $27,400, less than the $32,200 standard deduction plus $2,000 of charity for non-itemizers, so the standard deduction wins and saves $816 more. With $24,000 of interest and $25,000 of SALT on $200,000 of income, itemizing ($54,000) saves $4,356.
Choosing your deduction
- Gather Form 1098 for mortgage interest and property tax.
- Add state income tax from your W-2.
- Keep charity receipts: non-itemizers can now deduct up to $1,000.
- Consider bunching gifts into one year.
Check the SALT cap with the SALT Deduction Calculator, mortgage interest with the Mortgage Calculator, and the Senior Deduction Calculator if you are 65 or older.
Features
2026 rules
Higher SALT cap, the new 0.5% floor on charity for itemizers, and the 7.5% medical floor.
Non-itemizer charity
Adds the new $1,000 or $2,000 charity deduction to the standard route.
Tax under both
Shows federal tax with each choice.
When to use it
Homeowners
See whether mortgage interest and property tax now beat the standard deduction. Work out interest with the Mortgage Calculator.
High-tax states
Check the effect of the $40,400 SALT cap with the SALT Deduction Calculator.
Charitable givers
See whether bunching gifts into one year helps.
Retirees
Include the extra 65+ standard deduction and the Senior Deduction Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for head of household. People 65 or older or blind add $2,050 (single or head of household) or $1,650 each (married).
When should I itemize?
When your itemized deductions add up to more than your standard deduction. With the SALT cap now $40,400, more homeowners in high-tax states will find itemizing worth it.
What changed for charity in 2026?
Non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) of cash gifts to qualifying charities. Itemizers can only deduct gifts above 0.5% of their AGI.
Which medical costs can I deduct?
Only the part of qualifying medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
Is mortgage interest still limited?
Yes. Interest is deductible on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt taken out after December 15, 2017 ($1 million for older loans). That limit is now permanent.
Can I take the new tips or overtime deductions if I itemize?
Yes. The Schedule 1-A deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors are allowed with either choice.
Is there a limit for high earners who itemize?
From 2026, people in the 37% bracket get the benefit of itemized deductions at a maximum of 35 cents per dollar. This calculator does not apply that limit.
Can married couples choose differently?
If you file separately and one spouse itemizes, the other must itemize too.
What is bunching?
Grouping two years of charitable gifts or other deductions into one year so you itemize that year and take the standard deduction the next.
Can I switch between standard and itemized each year?
Yes. You can choose whichever is better every year, so it is worth checking again whenever your mortgage, taxes or giving change.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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