Income Tax CalculatorFree online financial calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Estimate 2026 US federal income tax (standard deduction).
Estimates only, based on the inputs and assumptions shown. This is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Prices, rates and local rules may change; crypto scenarios do not predict returns. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.
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How the result changes with gross income
Each row below was calculated with this tool, keeping every other input at its default and changing only gross income from half to one and a half times the default value. Use it to see how sensitive the answer is before you enter your own numbers.
| Gross income ($) | Taxable income | Federal tax | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42,500 | $21,400.00 | $2,320.00 | 5.46% |
| 63,750 | $42,650.00 | $4,870.00 | 7.64% |
| 85,000 (default) | $63,900.00 | $8,770.00 | 10.32% |
| 106,250 | $85,150.00 | $13,445.00 | 12.65% |
| 127,500 | $106,400.00 | $18,134.00 | 14.22% |
About the Income Tax Calculator
This calculator estimates US federal income tax liability, taxable income, effective tax rate, and marginal tax bracket based on projected 2026 standard deduction levels. It is designed for individual taxpayers, couples filing jointly, and heads of household looking to project their federal tax burden.
- Gross income
- Total annual earnings from wages, salaries, business profits, and other taxable sources before any deductions, entered in dollars (sensible range: $0 to $10,000,000).
- Filing status
- IRS tax filing classification: Single, Married filing jointly, or Head of household.
- Pre-tax deductions (401k etc.)
- Total annual pre-tax payroll contributions such as traditional 401(k), 403(b), health savings accounts (HSA), or flexible spending accounts (FSA), entered in dollars (sensible range: $0 to gross income).
Formula and method
Taxable Income = max(0, Gross Income − Pre-Tax Deductions − Standard Deduction) Federal Tax = Σ (Taxable Income in Bracket_i × Rate_i) Effective Rate = (Federal Tax / Gross Income) × 100
- Gross IncomeTotal annual income prior to deductions or withholdings
- Pre-Tax DeductionsTax-exempt payroll contributions (e.g., traditional retirement accounts, health insurance)
- Standard DeductionFixed statutory non-taxable income allowance based on selected filing status
- Taxable IncomePortion of gross income subject to federal income tax rates
- Federal TaxTotal estimated federal income tax calculated across progressive brackets
- Effective RateTotal federal tax liability expressed as a percentage of gross income
Taxable income is determined by subtracting pre-tax contributions and the standard deduction for the selected filing status from gross income, floored at zero. Progressive federal tax brackets are then applied to calculate total tax. The effective tax rate divides the resulting tax by gross income, while the marginal bracket indicates the top rate applied to the last dollar of taxable income.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Gross income85000 $
- Filing statusSingle
- Pre-tax deductions (401k etc.)5000 $
Results
- Taxable income$63,900.00
- Federal tax$8,770.00
- Effective rate10.32%
- Marginal bracket22%
How to use the Income Tax Calculator
- 1Subtract pre-tax retirement and healthcare contributions from gross income.
- 2Deduct the statutory standard deduction corresponding to the chosen filing status to obtain taxable income.
- 3Apply progressive federal income tax brackets to the taxable income to compute total federal tax.
- 4Divide total federal tax by gross income to calculate the effective tax rate, and identify the highest marginal tax bracket reached.
Reading your result
Taxable income represents the amount actually subject to taxation after standard deductions and pre-tax deferrals. The effective tax rate shows your overall tax burden as a percentage of total earnings, which is always lower than your marginal bracket because lower income tiers are taxed at lower percentage rates.
Limitations
This estimate applies only the standard deduction and does not support itemized deductions (Schedule A). It excludes state or local income taxes, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), capital gains tax rates, alternative minimum tax (AMT), and non-refundable or refundable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit.
Common questions
What is the difference between marginal tax rate and effective tax rate?+
The marginal tax rate is the highest tax bracket applied to your top dollar of taxable income. The effective tax rate is the actual percentage of your total gross income paid in taxes after accounting for deductions and progressive bracket tiers.
Does this calculation include Social Security and Medicare taxes?+
No. The calculation only estimates federal income tax. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are separate payroll taxes under FICA and are not included in this figure.
Can I use this calculator if I plan to itemize deductions?+
This tool relies solely on the standard deduction. If your itemized deductions (such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions) exceed the standard deduction, your taxable income and tax liability would be lower than shown.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
Further reading
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.