Tax calculator

Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026

How to use: Enter your income before tax, your filing status and any pre-tax deductions. The standard deduction is applied automatically.

How the tax calculator works

This tax calculator estimates your 2026 federal income tax. It subtracts the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and any pre-tax deductions you enter, then applies the seven federal brackets from 10% to 37%. Each rate applies only to the slice of income inside that bracket.

Example

A single filer earning $85,000 has $68,900 of taxable income after the standard deduction. The tax is $1,240 on the first slice, $4,560 on the second and $4,070 on the third, for $9,870 in total. That is an effective rate of about 11.6%, even though the top slice is taxed at 22%.

What it does not include

It covers federal income tax only. Credits, itemized deductions, state tax, Social Security, Medicare and self-employment tax are not included. Tax rules change, so confirm figures with the IRS or a tax professional before you file.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between marginal and effective rate?

The marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. The effective rate is your total tax divided by your income, and it is always lower.

More free calculators

Estimates for education only, not financial advice.