CalcMaven

Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your federal income tax based on filing status, income, and deductions using 2024 tax brackets.

Inputs

$
$

Results

Estimated Federal Tax
$8,341
Effective Tax Rate
11.12%
Marginal Tax Rate
22%
After-Tax Income
$66,659
Taxable Income
$60,400
Deductions: $14,600

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for decisions about your specific situation. Actual rates, terms, and conditions may vary by lender and individual circumstances.

How Does the Income Tax Calculator Work?

The federal income tax calculator estimates your tax liability based on the 2024 U.S. tax brackets using a progressive tax system. Under this system, your income is divided into portions called brackets, and each portion is taxed at a progressively higher rate. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, not your entire income. The calculator first subtracts your deductions (the greater of the standard deduction or your itemized deductions) from your gross income to determine taxable income. It then applies the appropriate marginal rates to each bracket of your taxable income, summing the results to give your total federal tax liability. The effective tax rate is the percentage of your total income that goes to taxes, which is always lower than your marginal rate.

Formula: Tax = Sum of (Income in Bracket × Bracket Rate) for each bracket

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your total annual gross income before any deductions. Select your filing status — Single or Married Filing Jointly — as this determines which set of tax brackets applies. If you have itemized deductions that exceed the standard deduction ($14,600 for single, $29,200 for married filing jointly in 2024), enter the total itemized amount. Otherwise, leave it at 0 and the standard deduction will be applied automatically. The calculator will instantly display your estimated federal tax, effective rate, marginal rate, and take-home pay.

Example Calculation

Alex is single with a gross annual income of $85,000 and takes the standard deduction.

  1. 1Gross income = $85,000
  2. 2Standard deduction (Single) = $14,600
  3. 3Taxable income = $85,000 - $14,600 = $70,400
  4. 410% on first $11,600 = $1,160
  5. 512% on $11,601 to $47,150 = $4,266
  6. 622% on $47,151 to $70,400 = $5,115
  7. 7Total tax = $1,160 + $4,266 + $5,115 = $10,541
Result: Alex owes approximately $10,541 in federal income tax, with an effective rate of 12.4% and a marginal rate of 22%.

Understanding Your Results

Your effective tax rate represents the actual percentage of your total income paid in taxes, and is always lower than your marginal rate because only a portion of your income is taxed at the highest bracket. Your marginal rate is the rate applied to the last dollar you earned, which is important when evaluating the tax impact of additional income like a raise or bonus. The after-tax income shows your take-home amount before state taxes, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and other withholdings.

Key Tax Concepts

Progressive Tax System

Only income within each bracket is taxed at that rate, not your entire income.

Standard vs. Itemized

The higher deduction is automatically used. Itemize when mortgage interest, state taxes, and charitable giving exceed the standard deduction.

Marginal Rate

The rate on your last dollar of income. A raise into a higher bracket only taxes the additional income at the new rate.

Filing Status

Married Filing Jointly has wider brackets and a larger standard deduction, often resulting in lower total tax.

Tips & Best Practices

  • ✓Maximize pre-tax contributions to 401(k) and traditional IRA to reduce taxable income.
  • ✓If your itemized deductions are close to the standard deduction, consider "bunching" deductions into alternating years.
  • ✓Remember this calculator estimates federal tax only — state and local taxes are additional.
  • ✓Self-employment income is subject to additional SE tax; use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator for that.
  • ✓Tax credits (child tax credit, education credits) reduce your tax dollar-for-dollar and are not reflected here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this calculator include state taxes?▾
No, this calculator estimates federal income tax only. State income tax rates vary widely — some states like Texas and Florida have no income tax, while others like California can add up to 13.3%. Add your state tax separately for a complete picture.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?▾
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income. Your effective rate is the average rate across all your income. For example, a single filer earning $100,000 has a marginal rate of 24% but an effective rate of about 17%. The effective rate is always lower because your first dollars are taxed at lower rates.
Should I itemize or take the standard deduction?▾
Take whichever is larger. Common itemized deductions include mortgage interest, state and local taxes (up to $10,000 SALT cap), charitable contributions, and medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI. Since the standard deduction increased significantly in 2018, most taxpayers now benefit from the standard deduction.
Does a raise put all my income in a higher tax bracket?▾
No. The U.S. uses a progressive tax system, meaning only the income that falls within the new bracket is taxed at the higher rate. A raise will never result in lower take-home pay. For example, if you cross from the 22% bracket to the 24% bracket, only the portion above the threshold is taxed at 24%.
Are Social Security and Medicare taxes included?▾
No. FICA taxes (Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%) are calculated separately and are not included in this estimate. For self-employed individuals, use our Self-Employment Tax Calculator which covers the full 15.3% SE tax.
By CalcMaven Editorial TeamLast Updated: February 2026

Related Calculators

Salary Calculator

Convert your salary between annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly, daily, and hourly amounts.

Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Calculate Social Security and Medicare taxes for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Estimate taxes on investment gains for both short-term and long-term capital gains.

Free Income Tax Calculator — 2024 Federal Tax Estimate | CalcMaven