Definition
Specific expenses you can list on Schedule A, such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes and charity, instead of taking the standard deduction.
What it means
Itemizing means adding up allowed expenses on Schedule A of Form 1040 and subtracting the total instead of the standard deduction. Common itemized deductions include home mortgage interest within IRS limits, state and local taxes up to the SALT cap, gifts to qualified charities, and medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of AGI. You choose whichever is larger, itemized or standard, and most households take the standard deduction. Itemizing requires records such as Form 1098 from your mortgage servicer and receipts for donations. Married couples filing separately must both itemize if one does. Starting in 2026, people who take the standard deduction may also deduct up to $1,000 of cash gifts to charity ($2,000 for joint filers), under a 2025 law.
Example
A married couple with $14,000 of mortgage interest, $9,000 of state and local taxes and $3,000 of charity has $26,000 of itemized deductions, less than the $32,200 standard deduction, so standard is larger.
Illustrative numbers only. Your situation will differ.