Enter your estimated expenses and compare which deduction lowers your federal tax more.
This is a simplified estimator. Final Schedule A may differ by eligibility limits.
| Option | Deduction | Taxable | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $15,000 | $80,000 | $12,514 |
| Itemized | $20,000 | $75,000 | $11,414 |
| Winner | Itemized saves $1,100 | ||
You generally pick whichever is higher:
This calculator compares both options and estimates how much taxable income and federal tax change.
People use this around year‑end to see if itemizing becomes worthwhile.
If you’re close to the standard deduction, people often “bunch” deductions:
This tool helps you see if bunching would flip the decision to itemizing.
If your itemized deductions total is higher than your standard deduction, itemizing can lower taxable income and reduce federal tax. Otherwise, standard deduction is usually better and simpler.
Not always. Itemizing only helps if your itemized total exceeds the standard deduction. Even then, your savings depends on your marginal tax bracket.
SALT stands for state and local taxes—typically state/local income taxes and property taxes. The deduction may be limited by current rules, so many filers do not exceed the standard deduction from SALT alone.
Some medical expenses may be deductible if they exceed a certain percentage of your AGI. This calculator includes a simplified input so you can estimate whether they meaningfully increase itemized deductions.
Charitable donations can increase itemized deductions, but you generally need sufficient total itemized deductions (including other categories) to exceed the standard deduction.
Yes. Itemized deductions require records (statements, receipts, acknowledgments). If you can’t substantiate an expense, you should not include it.
Yes. Standard deduction amounts are inflation-adjusted by tax year and filing status. This tool lets you choose 2024 or 2025.
No. It focuses on the most common high-impact categories. Your actual Schedule A may include additional items depending on your situation.
Sometimes indirectly. Itemizing changes taxable income and can interact with phaseouts for certain items, but credit eligibility is complex and depends on specific credits.
Enter your estimated itemized total (or use category inputs) and compare it to the standard deduction shown for your filing status. If itemized is higher, itemizing may be worth it.
No—on a federal return you generally choose one or the other for the year. This tool helps you decide which option is better for your situation.
Indirectly. Itemizing changes taxable income and therefore tax. Your refund depends on tax minus payments (withholding and refundable credits).
Conceptually yes, but Schedule A can include rules and limitations that reduce certain categories. This calculator uses simplified inputs for planning.
Sometimes. The tax savings from the difference depends on your marginal bracket, but itemizing also increases record‑keeping. Many filers itemize only when the advantage is clearly meaningful.