What is the difference between a standard deduction and itemizing your deductions?

Everyone gets to take a Standard Deduction amount off their income before the tax is calculated (it's a good thing - it lowers your income).  Which means the first 12,400 Single or 24,800 Joint of your income is not taxed and is tax free.  Unless their itemized deductions are more.  Itemized deductions are things like Medical, Gifts to Charity, State Income Taxes Paid, Mortgage Interest, Property Taxes, Car Registration fees, etc.

Do you think you will have enough to itemize?  The Standard Deduction has increased so many people will be switching to the Standard Deduction.  And there is a max 10,000 limit (5,000 MFS) of property tax and state taxes "SALT".  SALT is State And Local Tax.  Which includes property tax, any state tax paid like for last year’s return and includes any state withholding from your W2s and any 1099s you have. And any taxes in W2 box 14 and 19 like SDI or VDI. You can only deduct up to 10,000 (5,000 MFS) for SALT State and Local Taxes.

And you can only deduct Medical that’s over 7.5% of your AGI.  Also the deduction for job expenses have been suspended.

For 2020 the standard deduction amounts are:

Single 12,400 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind (14,050)

HOH 18,650 + 1,650 for 65 and over or blind

Joint 24,800 + 1,300 for each 65 and over or blind

Married filing Separate 12,400 + 1,300 for 65 and over or blind