Should you itemize or take a standard deduction on your tax return? Here's what to know

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When you're doing your taxes, it can sometimes be hard to know whether to itemize or take the standard deduction

NEW YORK — When tackling your taxes, it can sometimes be hard to figure out whether to opt for a standard deduction or itemize.

According to tax pros, itemizing generally only makes sense if your itemized deductions, taken together, add up to more than the current standard deduction of $13,850 for a single filer and $27,700 for a married couple.

Here’s what you should know:

For the vast majority of tax filers, the standard deduction is the way to go.

“Generally, taxpayers whose total itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction (based on their filing status) will benefit from taking the standard deduction. However, if the taxpayer’s total itemized deductions are greater than their standard deduction, they must itemize,” says Kathy Pickering, chief tax officer at H&R Block.

There are a few exceptions, though, and some things to consider itemizing that people sometimes forget.

“One situation where it may be beneficial to itemize is when the taxpayer is claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return, and their standard deduction is limited,” says Pickering.

Deductions can include amounts paid for eligible state and local income taxes, real property taxes, personal property taxes, mortgage interest, disaster losses, gifts to charity, and a portion of medical and dental expenses, among others.

According to Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, the biggest three potential deductions for most people are mortgage interest, charitable donations in cash or in property (a separate form must be filled out for anything over $500,