Standard vs Itemized Deduction Calculator

With the increased standard deduction, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and permanently extended by the One Big, Beautiful Bill, you may be trying to determine whether you’re going to be better off taking the standard deduction vs. itemized deductions this year.

While you may have itemized your tax deductions in the past, you may now benefit from taking the standard deduction if the new standard deduction amount for your filing status is more than your itemized tax deductions.

Alternatively, you may choose to itemize this year when you usually take the standard deduction due to the increased SALT (state and local tax) deduction established by the recent tax reform.

If you’re not sure which is the better option this year, check out our Standard vs Itemized Tax Deduction Interactive Calculator. *Note our Standard vs. Itemized Deduction interactive calculator has been updated for tax year 2024 (the taxes typically filed in 2025).

In just five quick screens, you’ll understand the changes in the standard deduction and itemized deductions, and you’ll get an estimate of your deductions based on inputs. Our calculator also tells you if you may claim the standard or itemized deduction and makes recommendations for end-of-year tax moves you can make to increase your itemized deductions.

Key takeaways

• Whether it’s better to take the standard or itemized deductions depend on the amount of your tax write-offs as well as whether those amounts exceed the standard deduction for your filing status.
• Our free standard vs. itemized deduction calculator makes it easy to estimate your deductions and decide which is right for you.
• The standard deduction was permanently increased with the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill.
• Several deductions were added or increased by the One, Big Beautiful Bill, including deductions for overtime income, tipped income, and even car loan interest payments.

Should I take the standard vs. itemized deduction?

Are you debating whether to stick with the standard deduction or go for the itemized deduction route? If so, you should generally go for the deduction that will offer you the bigger tax advantage for your individual circumstances. Below, we’ll give you an overview of what scenarios typically suit the standard or itemized deduction best.

When you should take the standard deduction

Navigating your taxes can seem like a daunting task, but we’re here to help. When deciding whether you should take the standard deduction vs. an itemized deduction, it really comes down to what deductions you’d qualify for as well as what method results in a higher deduction.

The standard deduction is a set amount based on how you file your taxes, with additional benefits for those who are 65 and older or visually impaired. The 2025 standard deduction is:

• $15,750 for single filers ($14,600 in 2024)
• $15,750 for married, filing separately ($14,600 in 2024)
• $23,625 for heads of households ($21,900 in 2024)
• $31,500 for married, filing jointly ($29,200 in 2024)

As of July 4, 2025, the One Big, Beautiful Bill allows seniors who are 65 or older to deduct up to an additional $6,000 per eligible individual for tax years 2025 through 2028. For single filers, the deduction starts to phase out for income greater than $75,000, and $150,000 for those who are married filing jointly.

Since the IRS adjusts the standard deduction amounts each year to keep up with inflation, you’ll likely need to reexamine your expenses to decide which approach is right for you if you do have itemized deductions like home mortgage interest and property taxes.

Tax year 2023 had the largest inflation adjustments in decades (7.1%), so you may have found that the standard deduction was more than your itemized deductions for tax year 2023, and that it was more beneficial to claim it. We also saw large increases in inflation adjustments for tax year 2024 and 2025, so you may find that the standard deduction is more than your itemized deductions and more beneficial when you file your taxes.

Put simply, opting for the standard deduction makes the most sense when itemized eligible expenses don’t surpass the standard deduction amount.

If you’re considering taking the standard deduction, comparing eligible itemized deductions such as mortgage interest, medical expenses, and charitable donations come into play when making this tax filing choice.

Typically, if your standard deduction is higher than your itemized deductions, then the standard deduction is the better option. 

When you should take the itemized deduction

So, when are you supposed to itemize deductions? Well, if your eligible expenses – like medical costs, mortgage interest, or charitable donations – add up to more than the standard deduction amount, itemizing your deduction would be the better option to lower your tax bill since the eligible expenses would surpass the standard deduction amount.

Sometimes, there can be a situation where tax filers’ itemized deductions can equal the standard deduction ($15,750 single and $31,500 married filing jointly for tax year 2025). When that is the case, making a move like donating more to charity at the end of the tax year or making sure you don’t leave out charitable contributions at tax time can boost your itemized deductions over the standard deduction.

When you’re trying to figure out which types of expenses might qualify, make sure to read up on our overlooked deductions article.

You can use our standard vs. itemized deduction calculator to help provide more clarity. Plus, TurboTax asks you simple questions about your deductions and automatically calculates the tax benefit that gives you the best tax outcome(standard vs. itemized) based on your entries. You don’t need to know whether an expense is a standard deduction or an itemized deduction.

Itemized vs. standard deduction calculator

Check out our Standard vs Itemized Tax Deduction Interactive Calculator. In just five quick screens, you’ll understand the changes in the standard and itemized deductions, you’ll get an estimate of your deductions based on inputs, and it will tell you whether it’s better to claim the standard or itemized deduction. Lastly, the calculator will make recommendations for end-of-year tax moves you can make to increase your itemized deductions.

*Note our Standard vs. Itemized Deduction interactive has been updated for tax year 2024 (the taxes typically filed in 2025).

How the One Big, Beautiful Bill could impact your decision

Passed on July 4, 2025, the One Big, Beautiful Bill has established some new deductions for tax years 2025 through 2028 that you should be aware of:

• Car loan interest: You may be able to write off up to $10,000 in car loan interest per year. Note that you can only take the deduction if you have a qualified auto loan, your vehicle was assembled in the US, and you drive your car for personal use. This deduction phases out for income over $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples.
• Qualified overtime income: You can deduct qualified overtime income of up to $12,500 ($25,000 for married filing joint returns where both spouses have overtime income). Note that this deduction phases out for income above $150,000 (or $300,000 if filing jointly).
• Tip income: You can deduct tip income of up to $25,000 for tax years 2025-2028. This tax benefit begins to phase out for income over $150,000 (or $300,000 if filing jointly).

Additionally, the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) increased. The cap for the SALT deduction was increased to $40,000 in 2025 and increases 1% each year through 2029. In tax year 2030, the deduction reverts back to $10,000. This deduction phases out for those with income levels of $500,000.

What are the pros and cons of taking the itemized deduction?

Itemizing deductions on your tax return can be a game-changer for some people since it can further help reduce their tax bill. But it’s not always as easy as it seems – understanding what itemized deductions are can help you understand whether you may be eligible for the standard deduction or itemized tax deductions.

For instance, if you have a small amount of itemized deductions like personal property taxes on your car and no big ticket items like home mortgage interest, then you would already know that you will most likely take the standard deduction.

Itemized deduction pros

Opting to itemize your deductions over taking the standard deduction route can be a beneficial tax move.

Unlike the fixed standard deduction, itemizing allows you to claim specific expenses like mortgage interest, medical costs, or large charitable donations, to name a few, potentially reducing your taxable income further if your eligible expenses surpass the standard deduction for that tax year.

Plus, if you are close to the standard deduction, you can further maximize your deductions. Make sure you remember to gather receipts for additional itemized deductions that may bump you over the standard deduction.

Using tools like our standard versus itemized deduction calculator allows you to understand and estimate the deductions that apply to your unique circumstances, so you know whether you can claim the standard deduction or whether it would be more beneficial to itemize your deductions.

In addition, if you use the calculator before year-end, it may help you decide on some smart tax moves you can make before year-end to maximize your itemized deductions.

Itemized deduction cons

There aren’t any major drawbacks necessarily. Tax filers who have itemized deductions just have to gather more documents at tax time so they don’t leave anything out. For instance, homeowners should have their Form 1098, which indicates home mortgage interest paid, their property tax bill, state income or sales taxes paid, and acknowledgments from charitable donations.

Don’t worry about knowing what constitutes an itemized deduction.  TurboTax will ask simple questions about your itemized deductions without you having to know how they are classified. Our standard versus itemized deduction calculator also helps you understand what expenses are itemized deductions.

Itemizing requires you to gather more documents, so people may think the allure of a simpler approach with standard deductions may outweigh the potential benefits, but if your itemized deductions are over the standard deduction, it’s worth gathering a few more documents to save money. Our tax document checklist can help you easily gather your documents if you can itemize your deductions.

What are the pros and cons of taking the standard deduction?

When contemplating your tax strategy, understanding how each deduction affects your tax situation is important.

Standard deduction pros

A lot of people opt for the standard deduction on their tax returns for a handful of reasons. First, it’s a quicker process. Additionally, the standard deduction tends to increase annually for inflation, thanks to Congress, which in turn aims to reduce taxable income thereby reducing the tax burden on tax filers.

The standard deduction varies depending on your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household) and is higher for individuals 65 or older and/or blind. As of July 4, 2025, this enhanced deduction for seniors was made permanent by the One Big, Beautiful Bill.

Individuals 65 and over can enjoy an additional enhanced deduction of up to $6,000 for tax years 2025 through 2028. This deduction does phase out when income exceeds $75,000 (or $150,000 if filing jointly).

Note that married couples choosing to file separately can’t take the standard deduction if their spouse chooses to itemize deductions; both spouses will have to opt for the same approach—either itemizing or taking the standard deduction.

Standard deduction cons

Taking the standard deduction just because it’s easy can cause you to miss out on writing off expenses that could reduce taxable income further.

Choosing between standard and itemized deductions boils down to numbers. If your itemized deductions surpass the standard deduction, then take the itemized deductions. If the standard deduction is more beneficial, take that route. If your standard deduction is basically the same as your itemized, see if you have any itemized deductions (such as charitable contributions) that you are leaving out and that can possibly bump you over the standard deduction and into itemizing your deductions.

Don’t worry about knowing how to figure out whether you can claim the standard or itemized deductions. No matter what moves you made last year, TurboTax will make them count on your taxes. Whether you want to do your taxes yourself or have a TurboTax expert file for you, we’ll make sure you get every dollar you deserve and your biggest possible refund – guaranteed.