Itemized Deduction Calculator

Calculate total itemized deductions and compare to standard deduction.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

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Total Itemized

$0.00

Standard Deduction

$16,100.00

Better Option

Standard

Deduction Breakdown

Mortgage Interest$0.00
SALT (capped at $40,400.00)$0.00
Charitable (over $0.00)$0.00
Medical (over $0.00)$0.00
Other$0.00
Total Itemized$0.00

Use the Itemized Deduction Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Deciding whether to itemize comes down to a single comparison: does the sum of your itemized deductions beat the standard deduction for your filing status? Claiming the larger of the two lowers your taxable income, and that difference can translate directly into a smaller tax bill.

The tool adds up your eligible itemized deductions, including medical expenses, state and local taxes, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions, then sets that total against the standard deduction for your situation. Three 2026 rules shape the total before the comparison: medical costs count only above 7.5% of AGI, charitable gifts only above 0.5% of AGI, and the $40,400 SALT cap shrinks by 30% of income over $505,000, bottoming out at $10,000.

Solid recordkeeping underpins everything here, since you'll need documentation to back up each deduction if the IRS ever asks. Leave out unreimbursed employee expenses and investment expenses, though: these miscellaneous itemized deductions have been disallowed since 2018, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made that permanent. From 2026 an eligible educator's unreimbursed classroom expenses are the exception.

Example: Maximizing Your Tax Savings

  1. 1 Input the following for a single filer with AGI of $60,000: Medical Expenses = $5,000, State and Local Taxes (SALT) = $10,000 (well under the 2026 SALT cap of $40,400 raised by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), Mortgage Interest = $8,000, Charitable Contributions = $3,000. The standard deduction for a single filer in 2026 is $16,100.
  2. 2 Calculations: Medical counts only above 7.5% of AGI, so $5,000 - $4,500 = $500. From 2026 charitable gifts count only above 0.5% of AGI, so $3,000 - $300 = $2,700. Total Itemized Deductions = $500 (Medical) + $10,000 (SALT) + $8,000 (Mortgage Interest) + $2,700 (Charitable Contributions) = $21,200. Comparison: $21,200 (Itemized) vs. $16,100 (Standard).
  3. 3 Result: Your total eligible itemized deductions are $21,200. Since this is greater than the standard deduction of $16,100, you would choose to itemize.
  4. 4 Takeaway: By itemizing, you reduce your taxable income by an additional $5,100 ($21,200 - $16,100) compared to taking the standard deduction. Note how the two AGI floors trimmed $4,800 off the raw $26,000 total.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common itemized deductions?
The biggest itemized deductions are state and local taxes (SALT, capped at $40,400 for 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of debt, charitable contributions (the part above 0.5% of AGI from 2026, up to 60% of AGI for cash), and medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI.
When should I itemize instead of taking the standard deduction?
Itemize when your total deductions exceed the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly for 2026). This is most common for homeowners with significant mortgage interest and property taxes, or those with large charitable donations.
Does the $10,000 SALT cap still apply in 2026?
No. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raised the SALT deduction cap to $40,400 for 2026 ($20,200 if married filing separately) — up from $40,000 in 2025 — indexed 1% a year through 2029. Filers with modified AGI above $505,000 see it phase down toward a $10,000 floor, and the cap reverts to $10,000 in 2030 unless Congress acts.

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