Itemized vs standard deduction calculator (2026)
The SALT cap is $40,400 for 2026, so itemizing pays again for many homeowners in high-tax states. Enter what you paid to see which deduction is bigger and how much tax the difference saves.
General information, not tax advice. A federal estimate with 2026 figures from IRS Pub. 505 and Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (checked October 15, 2026).
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2026 standard deduction
| Filing status | Standard deduction | Extra if 65+ or blind |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 | $2,050 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 | $1,650 |
| Head of household | $24,150 | $2,050 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 | $1,650 |
Itemizing pays only when your allowed itemized deductions are more than this. A qualifying surviving spouse uses the joint amount. The extra amount applies per person and per condition, so a married couple both over 65 adds two. The separate senior deduction on Schedule 1-A is on top, whichever you choose.
What changed for 2026
- Higher SALT cap. $40,400 instead of $10,000, phasing down above $505,000 of modified AGI.
- Charity counts either way. Non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) of cash gifts on top of the standard deduction. That raises the bar for itemizing.
- A floor for itemized gifts. Itemizers lose the first 0.5% of AGI of their charitable gifts.
- PMI is back. Mortgage insurance premiums are deductible again, for AGI up to $110,000.
- A limit at the top bracket. When AGI is above the 37% bracket start ($640,600 single, $768,700 joint), itemized deductions shrink by 5.4% of the smaller of the deductions or the income over that line, so they save about 35% instead of 37%.
More on the law changes in what's new for 2026 returns.
How the SALT cap phases down
For each dollar of modified AGI over $505,000, the cap falls by 30 cents. At $555,000 it is $25,400; from $606,333 up it stays at $10,000. Married filing separately, the threshold is $252,500 and the result is halved, from $20,200 down to $5,000.
Worked examples
Standard deduction still wins. A married couple with $180,000 of AGI paid $9,000 in state income tax, $7,000 in property tax and $14,000 in mortgage interest, and gave $4,000 to charity. Itemized, the gifts count only above $900 (0.5% of AGI), so the total is $33,100. The standard deduction of $32,200 plus $2,000 for cash gifts comes to $34,200, which is $1,100 more. They take the standard deduction, which saves about $242 more tax than itemizing.
High-tax state. With $320,000 of AGI, $28,000 of state income tax and $16,000 of property tax ($44,000 in all, capped at $40,400), $21,000 of mortgage interest and $6,000 of gifts, itemized deductions come to $65,800 against $34,200. Itemizing saves about $7,584 of federal tax.
Before December 31, 2026
Gifts count in the year you make them. A check counts when you mail it, and a card gift counts on the day of the charge, even if you pay the card bill in January. Three year-end moves:
- Bunch two years of gifts into one. If your itemized total sits a little under the $32,200 joint ($16,100 single) standard deduction, giving next year's gifts before December 31 can push this year over the line. Then you take the standard deduction next year. Bunching also means the 0.5%-of-AGI floor on itemized gifts applies once instead of twice.
- Use a donor-advised fund to bunch. You deduct the gift to the fund this year and send grants to charities later. Gifts to a donor-advised fund don't count toward the non-itemizer deduction, so this only helps if you itemize.
- Not itemizing? Cash gifts still count. From 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 married filing jointly) of cash gifts to qualifying charities on top of the standard deduction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 single or married filing separately, $32,200 married filing jointly and $24,150 head of household. Add $2,050 (single or head of household) or $1,650 (married, per spouse) if you are 65 or older or blind, twice if both.
What is the SALT cap for 2026?
State and local income (or sales) taxes plus property taxes are deductible up to $40,400 ($20,200 married filing separately). The cap shrinks by 30% of modified AGI over $505,000 ($252,500 married filing separately), but never below $10,000 ($5,000).
Can I deduct charitable donations without itemizing?
Yes, from 2026. If you take the standard deduction, you can also deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 married filing jointly) of cash gifts to qualifying charities. Only gifts by cash or check count; donated goods or stock, and gifts to donor-advised funds or supporting organizations, do not.
Why did my itemized charitable deduction go down?
From 2026, itemizers can deduct only gifts above 0.5% of AGI. With $100,000 of AGI, the first $500 of gifts is not deductible.
Is mortgage interest fully deductible?
Interest on up to $750,000 of debt used to buy, build or improve your main or second home ($375,000 married filing separately), or $1,000,000 for loans taken out before December 16, 2017. Home equity loan or HELOC interest counts only if the money went into the home.
Is PMI deductible again?
Yes. From 2026 the deduction for mortgage insurance premiums is permanent. It phases out as AGI rises above $100,000 ($50,000 married filing separately) and is gone above $110,000 ($55,000).
Do I have to itemize if my spouse does?
Yes. If you are married filing separately and your spouse itemizes, you must itemize too, even if your standard deduction would be larger.
Do the tips, overtime, car-loan and senior deductions affect this?
No. The Schedule 1-A deductions are taken whether you itemize or not, so they do not change which choice is better. Estimate them with the Schedule 1-A calculator.
Official sources
- IRS Publication 505 (2026), What's New: mortgage insurance premiums, charitable floor, itemized limit
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments)
- IRS Instructions for Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions
- IRS Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction
- IRS Instructions for Schedule A (2021), Mortgage Insurance Premiums Deduction Worksheet
- IRS: Working Families Tax Cuts provisions for individuals (One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act)
- IRS: One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions
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