Enter your details
Use whole-year totals when possible. Leave unknown fields as zero.
Example data table
Sample inputs and estimated outcomes, for demonstration only.
| Scenario | Gross income | Above-the-line | Itemized total | Standard | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renter with giving | $65,000 | $3,000 | $1,200 | $12,000 | Standard deduction likely better |
| Homeowner with taxes | $95,000 | $6,500 | $18,400 | $14,000 | Itemized deduction may be better |
| High medical year | $52,000 | $2,000 | $15,300 | $12,000 | Itemized deduction may be better |
Formula used
The calculator compares a standard deduction against an estimated itemized total.
- AboveLineTotal = Retirement + HSA + min(StudentLoanInterest, Cap) + OtherAboveLine
- AGI = max(0, GrossIncome + OtherIncome − AboveLineTotal)
- MedicalDeductible = max(0, MedicalPaid − (Threshold% × AGI))
- SALTBase = StateTax + SalesTax + PropertyTaxes
- SALTDeductible = min(SALTBase, SALTCap)
- CharityDeductible = min(CharityTotal, CharityCap% × AGI)
- ItemizedTotal = MedicalDeductible + MortgageInterest + SALTDeductible + CharityDeductible + OtherItemized
- ChosenDeduction = max(ItemizedTotal, StandardDeduction)
- TaxableIncome = max(0, AGI − ChosenDeduction)
How to use this calculator
- Enter your gross income and any other income sources.
- Fill in above-the-line amounts you expect to claim.
- Add itemized amounts you can document and support.
- Enter your standard deduction amount for your filing rules.
- Press Submit to compare and review the recommendation.
- Download CSV or PDF to save your summary.
Deduction categories the tool evaluates
This calculator reviews common deduction buckets that many taxpayers track during the year. It separates above-the-line items from itemized categories so you can see how each group changes your estimate. Inputs cover retirement savings, health savings, and capped student loan interest, plus optional adjustments. Itemized fields include medical costs above a chosen threshold, mortgage interest, state and local taxes under a cap, charitable gifts limited by an income percentage, and other documented deductions.
Why AGI drives several limits
Adjusted gross income is the pivot for several limits. The tool computes AGI by subtracting selected above-the-line deductions from total income, then uses that figure for medical and charitable caps. Medical expenses only become deductible after a percentage floor, so higher AGI usually requires higher qualifying costs before any benefit appears. Charitable limits are modeled as a percentage of AGI, helping you test whether additional gifts are fully usable within the year.
How the comparison is decided
To find the better filing approach, the calculator compares an estimated itemized total against your entered standard amount. The recommendation follows a simple rule: choose whichever produces the larger deduction, because that typically lowers taxable income the most. A close comparison matters in practice, so the notes section flags when results are near each other. This makes it easier to evaluate whether small updates, like corrected tax statements, could change the outcome.
Documentation that supports your numbers
Good records make deductions defensible and faster to file. Capture annual summaries for retirement and health accounts, lender statements for interest, and official tax bills for property taxes. For state and local totals, keep withholding summaries and major receipt records if you rely on sales tax figures. For charitable gifts, store receipts, acknowledgments, and valuation notes for non-cash donations. Use the built-in exports to save dated snapshots for your checklist and preparer.
Planning moves you can test quickly
Planning scenarios help you use the estimator beyond a one-time check. You can test “bunching” charitable giving into one year, or delaying a donation if the cap would limit usage. You can also model paying eligible medical expenses in a higher-cost year to clear the AGI floor. Finally, increasing retirement or health contributions may reduce AGI and shift multiple thresholds at once, potentially improving itemized results or strengthening the standard comparison.
FAQs
Does this tool give official tax advice?
No. It provides an estimate for planning and organization. Rules vary by location, year, and individual circumstances. Use the results to prepare questions, then confirm eligibility and limits with authoritative guidance or a qualified professional.
What is AGI in this calculator?
AGI is estimated as total income minus selected above-the-line deductions. The tool uses AGI to apply percentage floors and caps, such as medical thresholds and charitable giving limits, before comparing itemized and standard deductions.
Why is my medical deductible amount zero?
Medical expenses are counted only above the selected AGI percentage threshold. If your total medical costs do not exceed that floor, the deductible portion becomes zero. Try adjusting the threshold or updating AGI-related inputs to test scenarios.
How is the state and local cap applied?
The calculator adds property taxes, state or local income taxes, and sales taxes, then limits the combined amount to the cap you enter. If your combined total exceeds the cap, the excess does not increase the deductible amount.
What should I enter for the standard deduction amount?
Enter the standard deduction value used by your filing rules for the tax year. If you are unsure, enter your best current reference and refine later. The recommendation depends on comparing that number to itemized estimates.
How do the CSV and PDF downloads work?
After you submit, the page creates a saved summary in your session. The download buttons export the same breakdown into CSV or a simple one-page PDF. If you refresh or clear sessions, calculate again to regenerate exports.