Will Turbo Tax help me decide on Std versus Itemized?

[DaveSwan]

.... or are there some things I must decide before working through the questionnaire?

[CatinaT1]

Yes, TurboTax will help you decide. You do not need to make a decision before you start. In fact, the software’s entire goal is to wait until the very end of your data entry to tell you which one saves you more money.

As you work through the "Deductions & Credits" section, the software will ask you a series of "Yes/No" questions about:

• Mortgage interest and property taxes.
• Large out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses.
• Charitable donations (cash or goods).
• State and local income or sales taxes (the SALT deduction).

Behind the scenes, TurboTax keeps a running total of your itemized expenses.

At the end of the deductions section, you will see a summary screen titled "The Standard [or Itemized] Deduction is Right for You!"

2025 Standard Deduction Amounts

• Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse: $31,500
• Head of Household: $23,625
• Single or Married Filing Separately: $15,750

[Bsch4477]

TurboTax will give you the standard or itemized deductions, whichever is greater. It is possible to use the standard deduction for federal and the itemized deduction for state if applicable. 

[pk]

@DaveSwan , while I am not familiar with the exact screens for the on-line product, the windows desktop version of H&B, does indeed ask for / walk you through all the items  for Schedule-A ( itemized deductions).  Once it has all that data ( or you having chosen to not answer  all or some of these ), it chooses/ proposes the larger ( i.e. larger of  standard or itemized ). At this point you can change/select  which you prefer.  Note that if your filing status is MFS  ( Married Filing Separate ),  both spouses must use the same type of deduction ( standard or itemized ).

Does this help ?   Is there more I can do for you ?