Itemized Deductions
Should you itemize in 2026? The standard deduction, the new $40,400 SALT cap, mortgage interest, medical and charitable deductions, and a calculator that picks the better option.
Itemized deductions calculator (2026)
Itemized deductions vs the 2026 standard deduction
Itemize on Schedule A only if your deductions beat the standard deduction: $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household for 2026.
The main itemized deductions
- State and local taxes (SALT): capped at $40,400 for 2026, reduced by 30% of MAGI over $505,000 but not below $10,000.
- Mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of acquisition debt.
- Medical expenses above 7.5% of AGI.
- Charitable gifts, within percentage-of-AGI limits.
New for 2026: if you don't itemize you can still deduct up to $1,000 of cash gifts to charity ($2,000 joint); gifts to donor-advised funds don't qualify (IRS). See the taxable income calculator.
Common questions
What is the SALT cap for 2026?
$40,400, reduced by 30% of MAGI over $505,000 but not below $10,000.
When should I itemize?
When your Schedule A total is higher than your standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint in 2026).
Can I deduct charity without itemizing?
From 2026, up to $1,000 of cash gifts ($2,000 joint).
Sources
- IRS: 2026 tax inflation adjustments
- IRS: Working Families Tax Cut provisions (charitable deduction for non-itemizers)
- UHY: SALT provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill
- IRS Topic 501: Should I itemize?
More paycheck and tax calculators: IRS Payment Plans · IRS Tax Transcript Request · K1 Tax Form · Lifetime Learning Credit
Related
- Taxable income calculator
- Mortgage payment calculator
- Qualified charitable distributions
- Head of household
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.