Itemized Deductions vs. Standard Deduction: Which Should You Choose?
One of the most important decisions on your tax return is whether to take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. Making the right choice can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction is a fixed amount that reduces your taxable income. For 2025, the standard deduction is:
- $14,600 for single filers
- $29,200 for married filing jointly
- $21,900 for head of household
The standard deduction is simpler—you don't need to keep receipts or track expenses throughout the year.
Itemized Deductions
Itemizing allows you to deduct specific expenses, including:
- Medical and dental expenses (above 7.5% of AGI)
- State and local taxes (SALT) - capped at $10,000
- Mortgage interest
- Charitable contributions
- Casualty and theft losses
Which Should You Choose?
You should itemize if your total itemized deductions exceed your standard deduction. However, with the increased standard deduction, fewer taxpayers benefit from itemizing.
Common scenarios where itemizing makes sense:
- You have a large mortgage with significant interest payments
- You made substantial charitable contributions
- You had high medical expenses
- You paid significant state and local taxes
Our tax professionals can help you determine which approach will minimize your tax liability.