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Tax Calculators · United States

Federal Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your 2026 federal income tax by filing status. See your bracket-by-bracket tax, marginal rate, effective rate and refund or balance due.

Calculated in your browser only · inputs are not saved2026 tax year · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · returns filed in 2027
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Total ordinary income for the year before any deductions.

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Traditional 401(k), HSA, deductible IRA, student loan interest.

Deduction

$2,200 Child Tax Credit each in 2026.

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Enter the amount to see an estimated refund or balance due.

Enter your values and press Calculate tax

Estimated federal income tax

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    How it works

    How your federal income tax is calculated

    The U.S. uses marginal brackets: each slice of your taxable income is taxed at its own rate, so earning more never reduces your take-home pay.

    1. Pick your filing status

      Your status sets the standard deduction and where each bracket starts. Married couples filing jointly get double the single brackets up to the 35% bracket.

    2. Enter income and deductions

      Subtract pre-tax contributions, then either the standard deduction or your itemized total to get taxable income.

    3. Read your result

      See the tax in each bracket, your marginal rate (the rate on your next dollar), and your effective rate (total tax divided by gross income).

    Formula

    Taxable income = gross income − pre-tax adjustments − (standard or itemized deduction)Tax = Σ (taxable income in each bracket × that bracket's rate) − creditsChild Tax Credit = $2,200 × children, reduced by $50 for every $1,000 of income over $200,000 ($400,000 joint)

    2026 brackets (taxable income)

    Single: 10% to $12,400 · 12% to $50,400 · 22% to $105,700 · 24% to $201,775 · 32% to $256,225 · 35% to $640,600 · 37% above.

    Married filing jointly: 10% to $24,800 · 12% to $100,800 · 22% to $211,400 · 24% to $403,550 · 32% to $512,450 · 35% to $768,700 · 37% above.

    Head of household: 10% to $17,700 · 12% to $67,450 · 22% to $105,700 · 24% to $201,750 · 32% to $256,200 · 35% to $640,600 · 37% above.

    The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 (single and married filing separately), $32,200 (married filing jointly) and $24,150 (head of household). Taxpayers 65 or older add $2,050 (single or head of household) or $1,650 per spouse (married).

    Not included: state and local income tax, payroll (FICA) tax, self-employment tax, the alternative minimum tax, the net investment income tax, the extra senior deduction and the refundable part of the Child Tax Credit. Use the Take-Home Pay Calculator to add FICA and state tax.

    FAQ

    What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?

    Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of taxable income. Your effective rate is your total federal income tax divided by gross income. The effective rate is always lower because the lower brackets are taxed at lower rates.

    Does moving into a higher bracket reduce my take-home pay?

    No. Only the dollars above the bracket threshold are taxed at the higher rate, so a raise always increases your after-tax income.

    Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?

    Itemize only if your mortgage interest, state and local taxes (capped at $40,400 for 2026), charitable gifts and other allowed deductions add up to more than the standard deduction. Most households take the standard deduction.

    Are 2026 numbers the ones on my 2026 tax return?

    Yes. These are the 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32, which apply to returns you file in 2027. For the return you file in 2026, the 2025 amounts apply.

    Why does my result differ from my paycheck withholding?

    Withholding is an estimate based on your W-4. This calculator computes the tax on a full-year basis, so compare it with your year-to-date withholding to see whether you are on track.

    Estimates for education and planning only. This is not tax, legal or investment advice; check IRS.gov or a tax professional for your situation. Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, IRS Topic 409.

    Last updated:

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