Tax Deductions Calculator 2026: Standard vs Itemized Deduction
See how much your deductions lower your federal tax. Enter your income and deductions to compare the 2026 standard deduction with itemizing, and find your taxable income, tax and savings.
How the Tax Deductions Calculator Works
This tax deductions calculator compares the 2026 standard deduction with your itemized deductions, picks the larger one, and shows your taxable income, federal income tax and how much the deduction saves you. Enter your income, filing status and the deductions you can claim, then read the result in the calculator beside this text.
Tax Deductions Formula 2026
Source: IRS Topic 501 · 2026 amounts under OBBBA P.L. 119-21
Worked example: $75,000 income, single filer, 2026
If the same filer had $22,000 of itemized deductions, taxable income would be $53,000 and the tax $6,372. That is $1,298 less than the standard deduction, so itemizing wins in that case.
2026 Standard Deduction and Tax Brackets
Most taxpayers take the standard deduction because it is larger than the deductions they could itemize. The 2026 amounts are below, followed by the brackets this calculator applies to taxable income.
| Filing status | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single or married filing separately | $16,100 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 12% | $12,400 | $24,800 | $17,700 |
| 22% | $50,400 | $100,800 | $67,450 |
| 24% | $105,700 | $211,400 | $105,700 |
| 32% | $201,775 | $403,550 | $201,750 |
| 35% | $256,225 | $512,450 | $256,200 |
| 37% | $640,600 | $768,700 | $640,600 |
See the full explanation on our federal tax brackets page.
Which Deductions Count When You Itemize
| Deduction | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Mortgage interest | Interest on up to $750,000 of home acquisition debt |
| State and local taxes (SALT) | Income or sales tax plus property tax, capped at $40,400 and reduced for incomes above $505,000, but never below $10,000 |
| Charitable gifts | Cash gifts up to 60% of income; itemizers can deduct only the part above 0.5% of income |
| Medical and dental | Only the part of unreimbursed costs above 7.5% of income |
| Other | Casualty losses in a federal disaster and a few other items |
Tax Deductions vs Paycheck Deductions
Tax deductions lower the income your tax is figured on. Paycheck deductions are amounts taken out of your pay, and only some of them lower your tax. Pre-tax items such as a traditional 401(k) contribution or health insurance premiums reduce the wages used for income tax. Post-tax items such as a Roth 401(k) or union dues do not.
For example, a $6,000 traditional 401(k) contribution on a $75,000 salary lowers taxable income from $58,900 to $52,900, cutting federal income tax from $7,670 to $6,350, a saving of $1,320. Social Security and Medicare tax are still figured on the full $75,000. To see every deduction on a single paycheck, use our paycheck calculator.
Contributions to a 401(k), HSA or IRA lower your AGI before the deduction is applied. See how to reduce AGI and how much tax it saves.
Tax Deductions Calculator: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tax deductions calculator?
A tax deductions calculator estimates how much your deductions reduce your taxable income and your federal income tax. This one compares the 2026 standard deduction with your itemized deductions and uses whichever is larger.
How does a deductions calculator work?
A deductions calculator subtracts your deduction from income to find taxable income, then applies the tax brackets. For a single filer with $75,000 of income, the $16,100 standard deduction leaves $58,900 taxable and $7,670 of tax.
Is there a calculator for tax deductions?
Yes. Use the calculator on this page. Enter income, filing status, mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charity, medical costs and other items to see whether the standard or itemized deduction saves more.
What should I know about tax calculator deductions?
Tax calculator deductions fall into two groups: the standard deduction, which depends only on filing status, and itemized deductions, which you total yourself. You get the larger of the two, not both.
Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
Take whichever is larger. For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $24,150 for head of household and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. Itemize only if your allowed itemized total is higher.
What is the 2026 standard deduction?
$16,100 for single filers and married people filing separately, $24,150 for heads of household and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.
How much does a deduction save in tax?
A deduction saves your marginal tax rate times the amount deducted. A $1,000 deduction saves $220 if your top bracket is 22% and $120 if it is 12%.
What is the SALT deduction cap for 2026?
The cap on the state and local tax deduction is $40,400 for 2026. It is reduced for incomes above $505,000 but not below $10,000.
Can I deduct medical expenses?
Only the part of unreimbursed medical and dental costs that exceeds 7.5% of your income, and only if you itemize. On $75,000 of income the first $5,625 does not count.
Is mortgage interest deductible?
Yes, if you itemize. You can deduct interest on up to $750,000 of home acquisition debt. Enter the interest from your Form 1098.
Do charitable donations reduce my tax if I take the standard deduction?
Starting in 2026, yes, up to $1,000 of cash gifts, or $2,000 on a joint return. Larger gifts only help if your itemized total is greater than the standard deduction.
Does a 401(k) contribution lower my taxable income?
A traditional 401(k) contribution lowers the wages used for income tax, so it works like a deduction. It does not lower Social Security or Medicare tax.
What is the difference between a deduction and a tax credit?
A deduction lowers the income your tax is figured on. A credit reduces the tax itself dollar for dollar, so a $1,000 credit beats a $1,000 deduction.
Is this the same as a paycheck calculator?
No. This page estimates annual federal income tax from deductions. For the deductions on each paycheck, such as Social Security, Medicare and state tax, use the paycheck calculator.
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a planning estimate of federal income tax on ordinary income using the 2026 brackets. It leaves out credits, the self-employment tax, capital gains and state tax. Check your return or ask a tax professional before you file.