For those with mortgage interest, charitable contributions and medical expenses, individually itemizing your deductions can be a smart decision. Of course, it's generally only something worth doing if your deductible expenses are greater than the standard deduction. Working with a tax expert is a good place to start if you're unsure. 2015 standard deductions are as follows: For individuals and those filing as Single, the standard deduction is $6,300. Those filing Jointly or married will have a standard deduction of $12,600.