US Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026
Enter your income and filing status to estimate 2026 federal income tax, your tax bracket and your refund.
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US Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026 by TheCalcTools
How the US Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026 works
Start with total income and subtract pre-tax deductions such as traditional 401(k) and HSA contributions to get adjusted gross income (AGI).
Subtract the larger of your standard deduction and your itemized deductions to get taxable income. 2026 standard deductions: $16,100 single or married filing separately, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household.
Tax is calculated band by band with the 2026 brackets (10% to 37%), then credits are subtracted. Your marginal rate applies to your next dollar; your effective rate is the tax divided by your total income.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Filing status | Single |
|---|---|
| Total income (wages, interest, etc.) | $85000 |
| Pre-tax deductions and adjustments (401k, HSA, IRA) | $6000 |
| Itemized deductions (0 to use the standard deduction) | $0 |
| Tax credits (child tax credit, etc.) | $0 |
| Federal tax already withheld | $9000 |
- AGI: $85,000 − $6,000 = $79,000. Taxable income: $79,000 − $16,100 = $62,900.
- Tax: 10% × $12,400 + 12% × $38,000 + 22% × $12,500 = $8,550, in the 22% bracket.
- With $9,000 withheld the refund is about $450.
Result:
| Federal income tax | $8,550 |
|---|---|
| Taxable income | $62,900 |
| Marginal tax bracket | 22% |
| Effective rate on total income | 10.06% |
| Deduction used | $16,100 |
| Refund (negative = you owe) | $450 |
Frequently asked questions
Does moving into a higher bracket mean all my income is taxed more?
No. Only the part of your income inside the higher bracket is taxed at the higher rate. That is why your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate.
Does this include the new deductions for tips, overtime or seniors?
Not automatically. Enter any of these you qualify for (and other adjustments) in the pre-tax deductions box. Rules and limits apply, so check IRS guidance.
Does it include state tax, capital gains or self-employment tax?
No. This estimates ordinary federal income tax only. Qualified dividends and long-term capital gains are taxed at lower rates, and self-employment tax is separate.
Which tax year is this?
Tax year 2026, the return you file in early 2027, using IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
Sources and further reading
- IRS: Tax year 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- IRS: Federal income tax rates and brackets
- Wikipedia: Income tax in the United States
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. It is not tax or legal advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so check current rules or ask a qualified professional. See our disclaimer.