CalcMaven

Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your federal income tax based on filing status, income, and deductions using 2026 tax brackets.

Private Inputs
Calculations run in your browser and are not saved.
Formula Notes
Pages explain assumptions, formulas, and practical limits.
Estimate Only
Use results for planning, then verify with a professional.

Results

Estimated Federal Tax
$7,670
Effective Tax Rate
10.23%
Marginal Tax Rate
22%
After-Tax Income
$67,330
Taxable Income
$58,900
Deductions: $16,100

Inputs

$
$

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 using the 2026 federal income tax brackets and standard deduction (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). The tax system is progressive, so your income is split into layers called brackets and each layer is taxed at its own rate. Only the income inside a bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, not your entire income. The calculator starts with gross income, subtracts the larger of the standard deduction or your itemized deductions, and converts gross income into taxable income before applying the bracket math. That makes it useful for understanding both federal income tax brackets and the difference between gross income and taxable income. 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 ($16,100 for single, $32,200 for married filing jointly in 2026), enter the total itemized amount. Otherwise, leave it at 0 and the standard deduction will be applied automatically. If you are trying to understand gross income vs taxable income, the calculator handles that conversion for you: it starts with gross income, applies deductions, and shows the federal tax result based on taxable income. 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, 2026) = $16,100
  3. 3Taxable income = $85,000 - $16,100 = $68,900
  4. 410% on first $12,400 = $1,240
  5. 512% on $12,401 to $50,400 = $4,560
  6. 622% on $50,401 to $68,900 = $4,070
  7. 7Total tax = $1,240 + $4,560 + $4,070 = $9,870
Result: Alex owes approximately $9,870 in federal income tax, with an effective rate of 11.6% 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 results also show why gross income and taxable income are not the same number. Gross income is your starting point, while taxable income is what remains after deductions. 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 $85,000 in 2026 has a marginal rate of 22% but an effective rate of about 11.6%. 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.
How do I calculate my effective tax rate?▾
Your effective tax rate is your total federal tax divided by your total gross income, expressed as a percentage. For example, if you earn $85,000 and owe $9,870 in federal tax, your effective rate is $9,870 / $85,000 = 11.6%. This is always lower than your marginal rate because the progressive tax system taxes your first dollars at lower rates. This calculator shows your effective tax rate automatically.
What is the difference between gross income and taxable income?▾
Gross income is your total income before deductions. Taxable income is the amount left after subtracting the standard deduction or itemized deductions and certain adjustments where applicable. Federal tax brackets apply to taxable income, not to gross income.
What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?▾
For 2026, the seven federal tax brackets for single filers are: 10% ($0-$12,400), 12% ($12,401-$50,400), 22% ($50,401-$105,700), 24% ($105,701-$201,775), 32% ($201,776-$256,225), 35% ($256,226-$640,600), and 37% (over $640,600). Married filing jointly brackets are roughly double these thresholds. The standard deduction is $16,100 for single and $32,200 for married filing jointly.
By CalcMaven Editorial TeamLast Updated: February 2026

Guides for Income Tax Calculator

Learn the formulas, assumptions, and comparison points behind this calculator.

Tax & Investing

How to Calculate Capital Gains Tax on Stock Sales

For a stock sale, start with cost basis and net sale proceeds, then determine whether the gain is short-term or long-term before applying the right federal tax treatment.

8 min readRead
Tax & Salary

Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate: What's the Difference?

Your marginal tax rate is the rate on the next dollar you earn. Your effective tax rate is the average rate across all your income. Confusing the two leads to bad salary, bonus, and retirement decisions.

8 min readRead
Tax & Salary

How Much Pay Will I Take Home After Taxes?

Take-home pay starts with gross income, then subtracts federal tax, payroll taxes, state taxes, pre-tax deductions, and other withholding.

8 min readRead
Tax & Salary

Salary to Hourly Pay: Convert Annual Salary to Hourly Wage

Convert annual salary to hourly pay by dividing salary by total working hours in the year, then adjust for schedule, unpaid time off, and benefits.

6 min readRead

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 stocks, mutual funds, real estate, and crypto for both short-term and long-term capital gains.

Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026 — Brackets & Rates | CalcMaven