Federal Income Tax Calculator (2026)
This calculator applies the 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction to your income and shows the tax owed in each bracket, your marginal rate and your effective rate.
Enter your figures below. Results update as you type.
Estimated federal income tax$9,870.00
- Kept after federal tax 88%
- Federal income tax 12%
- Taxable income
- $68,900.00
- Deduction used
- $16,100.00
- Marginal rate
- 22%
- Effective rate (of gross)
- 11.61%
- Income after federal tax
- $75,130.00
2026 federal brackets, 16,100 standard deduction. Excludes Social Security, Medicare, state tax and credits.
| Bracket | Income taxed | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $12,400.00 | $1,240.00 |
| 12% | $38,000.00 | $4,560.00 |
| 22% | $18,500.00 | $4,070.00 |
How the Income Tax calculation works
Taxable income = gross income - pre-tax deductions - (standard or itemized deduction)
The US income tax is progressive: each slice of taxable income is taxed at its own bracket rate. Moving into a higher bracket raises the rate on the additional dollars only, never on income already taxed at lower rates.
The estimate covers federal income tax only. It leaves out Social Security and Medicare (FICA), state and local income tax, tax credits and the special rates on capital gains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
The marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. The effective rate is total tax divided by total income, and is always lower in a progressive system.
Should I itemize or take the standard deduction?
Itemize only when mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable gifts and other allowable expenses add up to more than the standard deduction.
How do I calculate income tax?
Start with your total income, subtract the standard deduction or your itemized deductions to get taxable income, then apply the tax brackets in order. Each slice of income is taxed at its own rate; only the top slice is taxed at your highest rate.
What is taxable income?
The part of your income that tax is actually charged on: your gross income minus adjustments and either the standard deduction or itemized deductions.
Does moving into a higher tax bracket reduce my take-home pay?
No. Only the income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A raise always leaves you with more after tax, even if it pushes you into the next bracket.
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