Income Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate your federal and state income tax liability for 2026.
This free 2026 income tax calculator estimates your federal and state tax liability based on current IRS brackets. Enter your gross income, filing status, and state to see a complete breakdown of federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and your effective tax rate.
The 2026 tax brackets reflect changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill. Use this alongside our tax refund estimator to see if you will owe or get money back. Self-employed? Use our 1099 tax calculator instead.
What Is a Income Tax Calculator?
The federal income tax is a progressive tax โ you pay higher rates only on income within each bracket, not on your entire income. A single filer earning $60,000 does not pay 22% on all $60,000. They pay 10% on the first $12,400, 12% on income from $12,400 to $50,400, and 22% only on the remaining $11,525. This is why your effective tax rate is always lower than your marginal rate. Understanding this helps you make better decisions about 401(k) contributions, deductions, and tax planning.
How It Works
Your tax calculation follows these steps: Gross Income โ subtract adjustments (401k, HSA, student loan interest) โ Adjusted Gross Income โ subtract Standard Deduction (\$16,100 single / \$32,200 married filing jointly) โ Taxable Income โ apply progressive brackets โ subtract credits โ Total Tax Due. Compare with your withholding using our paycheck calculator.
Formula Used
The formula for each bracket: Tax = ฮฃ(Income in bracket ร Rate). For single filer: (min($12,400, TI) ร 10%) + (min($36,550, max(0, TI-$12,400)) ร 12%) + ... and so on through all seven brackets.
Worked Example: $85,000 Single Filer in New York
Gross income: $85,000. Standard deduction: $15,000. Taxable income: $70,000.
- 10% on first $12,400 = $1,193
- 12% on $12,400โ$50,400 = $4,386
- 22% on $50,400โ$70,000 = $4,736
- Federal tax: $10,315 (effective rate: 14.7%)
- NY state tax: ~$4,200
- FICA: $6,503
- Total tax: ~$21,018 โ Take-home: ~$63,982
Verify with our paycheck calculator for biweekly amounts.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filers)
| Taxable Income | Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 โ $12,400 | 10% | $1,193 |
| $12,400 โ $50,400 | 12% | $4,386 |
| $50,400 โ $105,700 | 22% | $12,073 |
| $105,700 โ $201,775 | 24% | $22,548 |
| $201,775 โ $256,225 | 32% | $17,032 |
| $256,225 โ $640,600 | 35% | $131,539 |
| $640,600+ | 37% | varies |
How to Lower Your Tax Bill Legally
Maximize pre-tax deductions: Every dollar into a 401(k) or traditional IRA reduces taxable income. Claim all credits: Child Tax Credit ($2,000/child), education credits, energy credits. Harvest losses: Sell losing investments to offset capital gains. Consider filing status: Head of Household gets bigger brackets than Single. Move states: Nine states have no income tax โ see our state tax comparison.
Calculate by State
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our income tax calculator uses standard financial formulas and current 2026 tax data. Results are estimates โ actual amounts may vary based on your specific situation.
All calculations run entirely in your browser. We never collect, store, or transmit any financial data you enter. Your information stays on your device.
We update all calculators annually with new tax brackets, rates, and financial data. Our tools currently reflect 2026 federal and state tax rates.