Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax, effective tax rate and marginal bracket. Choose single, married filing jointly or head of household. The calculator subtracts the standard deduction for that status and any pre-tax deductions you enter. After-tax income is your gross income minus the federal tax, with the pre-tax deductions still in it. State income tax and credits are not included.
How to use the Income Tax Calculator
- Enter your gross annual income and choose your filing status.
- Add any pre-tax deductions, such as 401(k) or HSA contributions.
- Press Calculate to see your taxable income, federal tax, effective and marginal rates and after-tax income.
The marginal-bracket tax math
Tax = Σ (income in each bracket × bracket rate)
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. The brackets and standard deductions are the 2026 figures from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Worked example
A single filer with $80,000 of income and no pre-tax deductions has taxable income of $80,000 − $16,100 = $63,900 for 2026. The calculator shows federal tax of $8,770.00. That is 10% of the first $12,400, 12% of the next $38,000 and 22% of the $13,500 above $50,400. The effective rate is 10.96% and the marginal rate is 22%.
Frequently asked questions
What is marginal vs. effective tax rate?
The marginal rate is the rate of the bracket your last dollar of taxable income falls in. The effective rate is the federal tax divided by your gross income, and it is lower than the marginal rate. With no taxable income the calculator shows 0% for both.
Does this include FICA / payroll tax?
No, federal income tax only. FICA is 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. Employers also withhold a 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages above $200,000 in a year. The take-home paycheck calculator works those out.
Can I enter itemized deductions?
No. The calculator always subtracts the 2026 standard deduction: $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household. Itemizing pays only when your mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable gifts and other itemized deductions add up to more than that. If yours do, this estimate will come out too high.