Itemize vs. standard deduction checker

With the SALT cap raised to $40,000 for 2026, itemizing is back on the table for more people. See which gives you the bigger deduction.

Filing status

Adjusted gross income

Used for the charitable and medical floors.

Mortgage interest

State income tax paid

Property tax paid

Charitable gifts

Out-of-pocket medical

Mortgage interest SALT (capped $40k) Charitable Medical

The deduction choice is just the start. California treats these very differently — let's make sure both returns are optimized.

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Estimate only, for planning — not tax advice. Uses 2026 federal standard deductions (Rev. Proc. 2025-32): $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household. Itemized total reflects the 2026 rules: state and local taxes capped at $40,000 (this cap phases down for modified AGI above $500,000 and is not modeled here), charitable gifts deductible only above a 0.5%-of-AGI floor, and medical expenses deductible only above 7.5% of AGI. Mortgage interest assumes acquisition debt within the federal limit. California uses a much smaller standard deduction and does not cap SALT, so you may itemize for California even when the federal standard deduction wins — a return-level decision. Confirm with a CPA.