US Itemized vs Standard Deduction 2025
Compare itemized deductions vs standard deduction. SALT cap, mortgage interest, medical expenses. Find which saves more in 2025.
Your Information
Itemized Deductions
Deduction Comparison
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest | $12,000 | |
| SALT (State & Local Taxes) | $10,000 | Capped at $10,000 (input: $11.000) |
| Charitable Contributions | $2,000 | |
| Medical Expenses | $0 | Only excess above 7.5% of AGI ($6375) |
| Other Deductions | $0 | |
| Total Itemized | $24,000 |
Come utilizzare US Itemized vs Standard Deduction Calculator 2025
Select Filing Status
Your filing status determines the standard deduction amount. Married filing jointly gets the largest standard deduction ($30,000 in 2025).
Enter Itemizable Deductions
Enter mortgage interest (from Form 1098), state/local taxes (SALT, capped at $10K), charitable contributions, medical expenses and other deductions.
Review the Recommendation
The calculator compares your total itemized deductions to the standard deduction and recommends which saves more money.
Understand the Impact
The deduction reduces your taxable income. A higher deduction means lower tax. The savings depend on your marginal tax bracket.
Suggerimenti
- Bunching strategy: consolidate charitable donations into one year to exceed the standard deduction threshold, then take standard deduction in alternate years.
- Keep all receipts for charitable contributions. Cash donations over $250 require written acknowledgment from the charity.
- If you pay mortgage interest, you likely benefit from itemizing — especially in the early years when most of your payment is interest.
Domande frequenti
What are the 2025 standard deductions?
Single or Married Filing Separately: $15,000. Married Filing Jointly: $30,000. Head of Household: $22,500. These are higher than 2024 due to inflation adjustments.
What is the SALT deduction cap?
The SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction is capped at $10,000 per year ($5,000 for married filing separately). This includes state income taxes (or sales tax) plus property taxes. The cap was introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and remains in effect for 2025.
How does the medical expense deduction work?
You can deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI. So if your AGI is $80,000, you can only deduct expenses above $6,000. Qualified expenses include doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, and health insurance premiums paid out-of-pocket.
Can I switch between standard and itemized deductions each year?
Yes. You choose the larger deduction each year when filing your tax return. There is no penalty for switching. If your itemized deductions increase significantly in a year (e.g., large charitable gift, medical emergency), itemizing may be better that year.