If the standard single deduction is 13,850 but I made less that, does that automatically mean it is itemized?

If your income is less than the standard deduction, you'd generally still take the standard deduction (unless you're not allowed to) and your taxable income would be zero.

You can't take the standard deduction if:

- you're filing married filing separately and your spouse itemizes

- you were a nonresident or dual alien during the year

- your tax return covers a period of less than 12 months

If none of those situations applies to you, you can take the standard deduction even if it exceeds your income.

For more information, please see Topic 551, Standard Deduction

If you are claimed as a dependent, on someone else's tax return, your standard deduction is limited to $1300 or your earned income + $450, but not more than $14,600 (13850 was for 2023). 

That may be why you are seeing something less than $14,600 for your standard deduction.