Schedule A vs Standard Deduction | Which Strategy Saves More in 2026?

Schedule A is changing in 2026, and your clients are going to have questions. In this session, Nadia Rodriguez, CPA, CTC walks tax professionals through the full picture of itemized deductions, how they stack up against the standard deduction, and what is new for 2026. What you will learn in this session: The key difference between the standard deduction and itemized deductions All 6 sections of Schedule A and what belongs in each one How to decide when itemizing actually benefits your client The 2026 Schedule A updates, including SALT cap changes, the charitable deduction floor for itemizers, gambling loss limitations, and more How married filing separate filers are affected by itemization rules How to turn a Schedule A review into a real planning conversation with your client Whether you are a CPA, EA, bookkeeper, or tax preparer, this session gives you a clear, practical foundation for handling Schedule A with confidence going into the 2026 filing season. This is part of the Schedule A Series inside Tax Training Academy, designed to help tax professionals grow their knowledge and serve their clients at a higher level. 0:00 Welcome & Series Introduction 1:23 Meet Your Instructor — Nadia Rodriguez 2:45 Housekeeping & CE Credit Requirements 3:23 Session Learning Objectives 3:48 Schedule A's Role in the 1040 6:34 Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions 10:29 Overview of Schedule A's 6 Sections 11:29 Section 1: Medical & Dental Expenses 18:50 Section 2: Taxes Paid (SALT) 21:37 Section 3: Mortgage Interest 23:35 Section 4: Gifts to Charity 26:40 Section 5: Casualty & Theft Losses 30:53 Section 6: Other Itemized Deductions 32:27 Polling Question 2 — MFS Itemization Rule 36:40 Married Filing Separate Deep Dive 41:45 2026 Updates: Charitable Deduction for Standard Filers 42:37 2026 SALT Cap Update 43:03 2026 Update: Charitable Floor for Itemizers 43:22 2026: Miscellaneous Deductions Eliminated 44:28 2026: Educator Expenses & Mortgage Insurance 46:45 2026: Gambling Loss Limitation 47:25 Tax Planning Strategies for Schedule A 48:49 Wrap-Up & Upcoming Pro Labs Want to go deeper? Here is where to connect: Join the Nadia CPA Inner Circle, a growing community built for tax professionals ready to level up their practice: 👉 https://taxtrainingacademy.com/commun... Explore courses, masterclasses, and CE-eligible training at Tax Training Academy: 👉 https://www.taxtrainingacademy.com Follow Nadia on Instagram for weekly tax tips: 👉 @nadia.cpa Connect with Nadia Rodriguez, CPA CTC at: www.NadiaCPA.com Instagram: / nadia.cpa Facebook: /NadiaR.CPA LinkedIn: / nadiarodriguezcpa