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United States • Tax

US Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate your federal income tax, see your effective tax rate, and understand your tax bracket for the 2026 tax year.

This calculator uses the 2026 federal income tax brackets to estimate your tax liability. It applies the progressive tax system where only income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.

The standard deduction for 2026 is $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household.

Note: This calculator estimates federal income tax only. State and local taxes, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) are not included. For a complete picture of your take-home pay, use our Take-Home Pay Calculator.

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Understanding US Federal Income Taxes

The United States uses a progressive income tax system, meaning that as your income increases, it is taxed at higher rates. Your federal tax liability depends on your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household) and your taxable income after taking standard or itemized deductions.

How to Estimate Your US Federal Income Tax

To estimate your federal income tax, follow the progressive tax bracket calculations:

  1. Calculate Gross Income: Add up all taxable income sources including wages, business income, interest, and short-term capital gains.
  2. Determine Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): Subtract allowed adjustments (such as student loan interest or traditional IRA contributions) from your gross income.
  3. Apply Deductions: Subtract either the standard deduction ($15,000 for single, $30,000 for married filing jointly in 2026) or your total itemized deductions to get your taxable income.
  4. Apply Progressive Brackets: Calculate tax for each segment of your taxable income within the federal tax brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%).
  5. Subtract Tax Credits: Reduce your calculated tax dollar-for-dollar using credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit.

2026 US Federal Income Tax Brackets (Standard Deduction)

Parameter / Bracket Rate / Amount
Single Standard Deduction $15,000
Married Joint Standard Deduction $30,000
10% Tax Bracket (Single) Up to $11,925
12% Tax Bracket (Single) $11,926 to $48,475
22% Tax Bracket (Single) $48,476 to $103,350
24% Tax Bracket (Single) $103,351 to $197,300
32% Tax Bracket (Single) $197,301 to $250,525
35% Tax Bracket (Single) $250,526 to $626,350
37% Tax Bracket (Single) Over $626,350

Frequently Asked Questions about US Income Tax

An income tax is a government-imposed tax on the financial income generated by individuals and businesses. Federal, state, and local governments use this revenue to fund public services, infrastructure, national defense, and social programs.
US federal income tax is progressive, ranging from 10% to 37% across seven tax brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%). The rate you pay depends on your filing status and taxable income.
There are nine states in the US that do not levy a state-level personal income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. However, some of these states may charge higher property or sales taxes.
Taxable income is calculated before income taxes are paid, but after allowable deductions, adjustments, and exemptions are subtracted from your gross income. Your actual tax liability is calculated based on this taxable income amount.
Your marginal tax rate is the tax rate applied to the last dollar you earn (determined by your highest bracket), while your effective tax rate is your total tax paid divided by your total income.
Deductions lower your taxable income before tax is calculated, whereas tax credits reduce your final tax liability dollar-for-dollar.