Itemize or Standard Deduction in 2026? Free Calculator Shows Which Saves More

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Should You Itemize or Take the Standard Deduction in 2026?

The OBBB Act (P.L. 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) extended the nearly doubled standard deduction that TCJA introduced. For 2026, the standard deduction is approximately:

Single: $15,000
Married Filing Jointly: $30,000
Head of Household: $22,500

With the $10,000 SALT cap also extended by OBBB, fewer taxpayers benefit from itemizing than pre-2018. But if you have a large mortgage, live in a high-tax state, or give generously to charity, itemizing could still save you thousands.

The Calculator Does the Math

Our Itemize vs Standard Deduction Calculator takes your actual numbers and gives a clear recommendation:

Mortgage interest — enter your annual interest paid
SALT — state and local taxes (auto-capped at $10,000)
Charitable donations — cash and non-cash contributions
Medical expenses — only the amount above 7.5% of your AGI counts
Other deductions — casualty losses, investment expenses, etc.

The result: a side-by-side comparison showing exactly how much you save (or lose) by itemizing vs. taking the standard deduction.

Who Should Itemize in 2026?

Three scenarios where itemizing still wins:

Homeowners with mortgages above $300K at 6%+ rates — annual interest alone can exceed $18,000
Residents of high-SALT states (CA, NY, NJ, CT, IL) — even capped at $10K, combined with mortgage interest it pushes past standard deduction
Generous charitable givers — donating 5%+ of income, especially with appreciated stock

For everyone else, the standard deduction is almost certainly larger. Source: IRS, Congress.gov P.L. 119-21.