USA: Paycheck & taxes
Federal Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your federal income tax for the 2026 tax year. Enter your income, filing status, pre-tax contributions and deductions, plus any credits and tax already withheld. The calculator applies the 2026 brackets step by step, so you can see exactly how much tax each bracket adds.
How to use the Federal Income Tax Calculator
- Enter total income and filing status.
- Add pre-tax contributions such as 401(k) and HSA.
- Choose standard or itemized deductions.
- Add credits and tax withheld to see your refund or balance due.
Formula
Example
A single filer with $85,000 income and $6,000 in 401(k) contributions has $62,900 of taxable income after the $16,100 standard deduction, and owes about $8,550 in federal tax - an effective rate of about 10%.
2026 tax brackets (single)
- 10%: up to $12,400
- 12%: $12,400 - $50,400
- 22%: $50,400 - $105,700
- 24%: $105,700 - $201,775
- 32%: $201,775 - $256,225
- 35%: $256,225 - $640,600
- 37%: over $640,600
Marginal vs effective rate
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your income - always lower, because the first dollars are taxed at 10% and 12%.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 standard deduction?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for head of household.
Will a raise push me into a higher bracket and lower my pay?
No. Only the income above the bracket line is taxed at the higher rate.
Does this include capital gains?
No. Use the capital gains tax calculator for long-term gains, which have their own rates.
When are 2026 taxes due?
Returns for tax year 2026 are generally due in April 2027.
Tax figures are for the 2026 tax year and are estimates for planning only. For filing decisions, confirm with a qualified tax professional or the IRS. Your inputs stay in your browser and are not sent to Soft2Cloud.
Last updated: November 2026