Standard deduction or itemize?
Everyone who files gets to subtract either the standard deduction, a flat amount set by the IRS, or their itemized deductions on Schedule A, whichever is larger. Most people take the standard deduction. Itemizing pays off when your deductible state and local taxes, mortgage interest, charitable gifts and large medical bills add up to more.
What is the standard deduction for 2025 and 2026?
| Filing status | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $15,750 | $16,100 |
| Married filing separately | $15,750 | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse | $31,500 | $32,200 |
| Head of household | $23,625 | $24,150 |
| Extra for 65+ or blind, per box, married | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| Extra for 65+ or blind, per box, single or head of household | $2,000 | $2,050 |
| Senior deduction (65+, 2025–2028) | up to $6,000 each | up to $6,000 each |
The "box" amounts are added once for each of these that applies to you or, on a joint return, your spouse: 65 or older at the end of the year, or blind. The senior deduction is separate: $6,000 for each person 65 or older, shrinking by 6% of MAGI over $75,000 ($150,000 joint). You get it whether you itemize or not, but not if you're married filing separately.
How each side is calculated
Itemized = SALT (capped) + mortgage interest + charity (2026: only the part over 0.5% of AGI) + medical over 7.5% of AGI + other
The SALT cap is $40,000 for 2025 and $40,400 for 2026, phased down above $500,000 or $505,000 of income (see the SALT deduction calculator). New for 2026, non-itemizers can deduct cash gifts to charity up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint), and itemizers count only charitable gifts above 0.5% of income, as shown on the 2026 Form W-4 deductions worksheet.
Worked example
A single filer in 2026 with $80,000 of AGI paid $6,000 in state and local taxes, $9,000 of mortgage interest, gave $2,000 to charity and had $5,000 of medical bills. Medical costs are below the 7.5% floor ($6,000), so none count. Charity counts above $400 (0.5% of AGI), so $1,600. Itemized: $6,000 + $9,000 + $1,600 = $16,600. Standard: $16,100 plus up to $1,000 of cash gifts = $17,100, so the standard deduction wins.
Limitations
- From 2026, people in the 37% bracket have itemized deductions trimmed slightly (the W-4 worksheet uses 94% above $640,600 single, $768,700 joint). That isn't applied here.
- Mortgage interest is deductible on up to $750,000 of home debt ($375,000 separately) for loans taken out after December 15, 2017. Enter only the deductible part.
- Married couples filing separately must both itemize if one does.
- Someone who can be claimed as a dependent has a smaller standard deduction (the greater of $1,350 or earned income plus $450).
Sources
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments) – 2026 standard deduction, $1,650/$2,050, dependent amount
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (2025 inflation adjustments) – 2025 $1,600/$2,000
- 2025 Form 1040 – 2025 standard deduction as amended
- 2025 Schedule 1-A (Form 1040) – senior deduction: $6,000, 6% over $75,000/$150,000
- 2026 Form W-4 – 2026 charity rules, SALT $40,400, 94% limit
- Instructions for Schedule A (2025) – medical 7.5% floor, mortgage limits, SALT worksheet