Estimate Your Federal Income Tax
This federal income tax calculator estimates how much U.S. federal income tax you owe based on your taxable income, filing status and tax year. It uses the official IRS tax brackets for 2023 through 2026 and shows your total federal tax, your effective tax rate, your marginal tax rate, a bracket-by-bracket breakdown and your after-tax income.
Enter your taxable income, not your gross salary. Taxable income is what is left after subtracting the standard deduction or your itemized deductions and any other adjustments.
How Tax Brackets Really Work
The U.S. uses a progressive tax system. Your income is split into layers, and each layer is taxed at its own rate. Moving into a higher bracket only raises the tax on the dollars inside that new bracket, not on all of your income.
Your marginal tax rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by your taxable income, and it is always lower than your marginal rate once you earn above the first bracket.
How to Use the Tax Calculator
- Choose the tax year (2023 through 2026).
- Select your filing status, such as single or married filing jointly.
- Enter your taxable income after deductions.
- Review the bracket breakdown to see exactly how much tax each layer of income adds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will getting a raise put me in a higher bracket and lower my take-home pay?
No. Only the income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate, so a raise always increases your after-tax income. This is one of the most common tax myths.
Does this calculator include state tax, Social Security or Medicare?
No. It estimates federal income tax only. State and local income taxes and FICA payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) are separate and not included.
What is the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the percentage applied to your next dollar of income. Your effective rate is the average rate you pay on all of your taxable income, found by dividing your total tax by your taxable income.