Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your federal income tax, state income tax and effective tax rate for the current year. Accounts for standard deduction, common credits and your filing status.
How to use the Income Tax Calculator
- Enter your inputs into the Income Tax Calculator above.
- Results update instantly as you type — no submit button needed.
- Adjust any value to see how the result changes in real time.
The marginal-bracket tax math
Tax = Σ (income in each bracket × bracket rate) − credits
The US uses marginal brackets: each slice of income is taxed at the rate for that bracket. Only the income above a bracket threshold pays the higher rate, not your entire income.
Worked example
For 2026, a single filer with $80,000 income and the standard deduction has taxable income of $65,200. Federal tax: roughly $9,400 (10% on first $11,925, 12% on the next slice, 22% on income above $48,200). Effective federal rate: about 11.8%.
Frequently asked questions
What is marginal vs. effective tax rate?
Marginal rate is the rate on your next dollar of income. Effective rate is total tax divided by total income — almost always lower than your marginal rate.
Does this include FICA / payroll tax?
Federal income tax only. FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%) is a separate calculation, typically done in the take-home paycheck calculator.
Should I itemize or take the standard deduction?
Itemize only if your eligible deductions (mortgage interest, state and local taxes capped at $10,000, charitable giving, etc.) exceed the standard deduction. Since 2018, the standard deduction has been generous enough that ~87% of filers don't itemize.