Free Income Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax, effective rate, marginal bracket, and refund or balance due.
Uses the 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction.
2026 IRS brackets · Standard deduction $15,000 single / $30,000 MFJ · All filing statuses
Income Details
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Total wages, salary, freelance, and other income before any deductions.
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401(k) contributions, HSA, student loan interest, IRA deduction, etc.
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From your pay stubs box 2. Used to estimate refund or balance due.
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets
The US uses a progressive tax system — you pay each rate only on income within that bracket, not on your entire income.
Single Filers (2026)
- 10%: $0 – $11,925
- 12%: $11,926 – $48,475
- 22%: $48,476 – $103,350
- 24%: $103,351 – $197,300
- 32%: $197,301 – $243,725
- 35%: $243,726 – $609,350
- 37%: Over $609,350
Standard Deduction 2026
Single: $15,000 · Married Filing Jointly: $30,000 · Head of Household: $22,500. Most taxpayers use the standard deduction as it exceeds their itemized amount.
FAQ
Tax questions answered
How do I calculate my federal income tax?
Subtract your standard (or itemized) deduction from gross income to get taxable income. Then apply each bracket rate only to the portion of income within that bracket. Add the tax from each bracket for your total liability.
What is the difference between my effective and marginal tax rate?
Your marginal rate is your top bracket — the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total gross income. At $75,000 single, your marginal rate is 22% but your effective rate is around 13%.
Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
Take whichever is larger. The 2026 standard deduction is $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (MFJ). Only itemize if your mortgage interest, SALT taxes, and charitable donations combined exceed these amounts — most taxpayers cannot beat the standard deduction.
How can I reduce my tax bill?
Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k: $23,500 limit in 2026), contribute to an HSA ($4,300 individual), deduct student loan interest (up to $2,500), and consider a traditional IRA (up to $7,000). Each dollar reduces taxable income at your marginal rate.