Standard vs Itemized Deduction Calculator

About this calculator

When filing a U.S. federal tax return, every taxpayer chooses between the standard deduction — a flat amount set by the IRS based on filing status — or itemizing individual deductions like mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses above a threshold, and state and local taxes (SALT). Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the SALT deduction is capped, which pushed many taxpayers who used to itemize back toward the standard deduction because their itemized total no longer clears it.

This calculator adds up your itemized deductions, applies the SALT cap where relevant, and compares the total against your standard deduction amount for your filing status, showing which choice lowers your taxable income more.

Taxpayers preparing their own return, tax preparers doing a quick client check, and homeowners deciding whether mortgage interest and property taxes still justify itemizing use this comparison every filing season, since the better choice can change year to year as deductible expenses and the standard deduction amount both shift.