Should I take the standard or itemized deduction for 2025?
Compare the standard deduction with your itemized deductions for 2025 or 2026. Enter mortgage interest, SALT, charitable gifts, and medical expenses to estimate which option lowers taxable income more, then see the potential tax impact based on current IRS rules.
How this calculation works
- Estimates total itemized deductions from the inputs provided.
- Compares itemized total to the standard deduction for your filing status.
- Highlights which option produces a lower taxable income.
Common mistakes and caveats
- Some deductions have limits or phaseouts not fully modeled here.
- State tax caps and AMT can change the benefit of itemizing.
FAQ
Does itemizing always lower my tax?
No. Itemizing only helps if total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction.
Last updated & sources
Last updated January 15, 2026.
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