Tax & Business
Income Tax Estimator
Estimate 2026 U.S. federal income tax and FICA using filing status and deductions. State taxes and credits are excluded.
Guide
How to use the Income Tax Estimator
The Income Tax Estimator helps you make a quick estimate, compare scenarios, and understand the numbers behind the result. It is designed for fast planning, with enough context to make the answer useful instead of just a number.
- Enter the amount, jurisdiction, filing details, or business figures that match your situation.
- Review the estimated tax, net amount, rate, or return shown in the result panel.
- Compare scenarios before making a purchase, payroll, investment, or tax planning decision.
Method
How this calculator works
US mode subtracts eligible income adjustments and either the 2026 standard deduction or eligible itemized deductions, never both. It then applies federal brackets to taxable income and employee FICA to gross wages. Custom mode uses your rates. Credits and state tax are excluded.
This calculator is useful for rough tax planning before filing or making withholding changes.
Because assumptions matter, try a few values that represent optimistic, typical, and conservative cases.
Tax and business results are estimates. Rules vary by jurisdiction and can change, so verify important decisions with official guidance or a qualified professional.
Example
Worked example
For 2026 single-filer brackets, $60,000 of taxable income incurs $1,240 on the first $12,400, $4,560 on the next $38,000, and $2,112 on the remaining $9,600: $7,912 of federal income tax before credits. That is 13.2% of taxable income; the marginal bracket is 22%. The estimator also subtracts the standard deduction from gross income before applying these brackets.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the bracket your last dollar falls into; your effective rate is total tax divided by total income — always lower, because earlier dollars were taxed in lower brackets. Being 'in the 22% bracket' does not mean you pay 22% on everything.
Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
Take whichever is larger. Since the standard deduction roughly doubled in 2018, most US filers take it; itemizing usually only wins with substantial mortgage interest, state taxes at the cap, or large charitable giving.
Why is my refund not the same as my tax?
The refund is just the difference between what was withheld during the year and what you actually owe. A large refund means you over-withheld — an interest-free loan to the government — not that you paid less tax.
What information do I need for the Income Tax Estimator?
You usually need filing status, annual income, eligible income adjustments, and standard OR itemized deductions. You can change the inputs and recalculate as many times as needed.
How does the Income Tax Estimator calculate the result?
US mode subtracts eligible income adjustments and either the 2026 standard deduction or eligible itemized deductions, never both. It then applies federal brackets to taxable income and employee FICA to gross wages. Custom mode uses your rates. Credits and state tax are excluded.
Are the results exact?
Tax and business results are estimates. Rules vary by jurisdiction and can change, so verify important decisions with official guidance or a qualified professional.
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