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Unlike the standard deduction, itemized deductions result in different taxable income amounts from person to person. Those who qualify for the standard deduction have the leeway to choose the itemized route; however, individuals who are not eligible for the standard deduction can only itemize their tax deductions.
The standard deduction is a fixed amount that you can deduct without reporting any specific expenses; it is different for each of the filing statuses. For example, if you use the head of household status on your 2011 tax return, you can claim a deduction of $8,500. Therefore, when evaluating whether to itemize and claim a uniform deduction, you need to calculate your total itemized deductions and compare that amount to the standard deduction.