Income Tax Calculator
Estimate U.S. federal income tax with selectable 2025 and 2026 assumptions, deductions, credits, federal withholding, and bracket breakdowns
Calculate with Income Tax Calculator
Estimated Federal Refund for 2026
Estimated refund after the federal withholding you entered
Tax Breakdown by Bracket
| Tax Bracket | Income in Bracket | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% ($0 - $12,400) | $12,400 | 10% | $1,240 |
| 12% ($12,400 - $50,400) | $38,000 | 12% | $4,560 |
| 22% ($50,400 - $105,700) | $13,500 | 22% | $2,970 |
| Total Federal Income Tax | $8,770 | ||
Monthly Income Breakdown
* This calculator uses the selected year's IRS bracket, standard deduction, and child tax credit thresholds for a simplified federal income tax estimate. Actual take-home pay can differ because of state tax, payroll tax, benefit deductions, estimated payments, credit phase-outs, and other withholdings.
Assumptions
Use Income Tax Calculator for financial estimate planning when you need a clear estimate, transparent inputs, and a result you can review before taking the next step.
Worked example
When To Use Income Tax Calculator
- Start with a representative scenario in Income Tax Calculator so rates, dates, balances, or other key assumptions match the question you are comparing.
- Review whether the estimate matches the planning scenario before you use it for a budget, plan, or discussion.
Sample Input And Output Checks
- Start with inputs that match the real scenario, not only a rounded placeholder.
- Review amount, rate, term, timing, fees, tax treatment, and decision horizon before trusting the output.
- Use the result as an estimate to review against statements, lender terms, tax forms, quotes, or qualified advice when the decision is material.
About This Tool
An income tax calculator helps you estimate federal tax liability based on your income, filing status, deduction inputs, dependent credits, and federal withholding. This page uses the bracket and standard deduction assumptions built into the calculator for the selected year; it is an estimate for planning, not tax advice or a substitute for filing software. Confirm filing decisions against IRS materials, official tax forms, or a qualified tax professional. For comprehensive paycheck calculations including payroll withholdings, explore our Salary Calculator, or use the Paycheck Calculator for detailed pay period breakdowns.
How Tax Brackets Work
The U.S. uses a progressive tax system with marginal tax brackets. This means different portions of your income are taxed at different rates - not your entire income at one rate. For example, if you're single and earn $75,000, you're in the 22% bracket, but you don't pay 22% on all $75,000. Instead: the first $11,600 is taxed at 10%, the next $35,550 ($11,600-$47,150) at 12%, and only the remaining amount at 22%. Your marginal rate is the highest bracket you reach, while your effective rate is your total tax divided by total income (typically much lower). For state and local tax calculations, check our Sales Tax Calculator.
Standard vs Itemized Deductions
Deductions reduce taxable income before brackets are applied. The calculator compares its built-in standard deduction for your selected filing status and tax year with the itemized amounts you enter for IRA contributions, mortgage interest, charitable donations, student loan interest, and other deductions. If your real return includes deduction limits, phase-outs, alternative minimum tax, self-employment tax, or special investment tax treatment, review those items separately.
Effective vs Marginal Tax Rate
Your marginal tax rate (the bracket you're in) is what you pay on your last dollar earned, while your effective tax rate is your average rate on all income. If you're single earning $75,000, you're in the 22% marginal bracket, but your effective rate is only about 13.5%. This distinction is crucial for decision-making: when considering a raise or bonus, think marginal rate (that extra income is taxed at 22%). When budgeting overall taxes, use effective rate. Understanding this prevents common misconceptions like "a raise will push me into a higher bracket and I'll make less money" - only the additional income is taxed at the higher rate.
Tax Planning Strategies
Use the estimate to test planning levers before year-end: retirement contributions, deductible expenses, dependent credits, and withholding. If the result shows a large refund, you may be over-withholding federal tax; if it shows a large balance due, you may need higher withholding or estimated payments. State tax, payroll tax, investment surtaxes, phase-outs, and filing-specific rules are outside this simple federal estimate.