Tax & Salary
Income Tax Calculator
Estimate 2026 U.S. federal income tax using filing status, the standard deduction, and taxable income assumptions.
Best for: Estimate 2026 U.S. federal ordinary income tax, taxable income, marginal rate, and effective rate.
Your result
Income Tax estimate
- Estimated federal income tax
- $12,070.00
- Taxable income
- $78,900.00
- Effective federal tax rate
- 12.07%
- Income after estimated federal tax
- $87,930.00
How to use this income tax calculator
Use this calculator for a simplified 2026 federal income-tax estimate. It applies ordinary-income brackets and the standard deduction, then subtracts entered credits; it is not a complete tax return and intentionally excludes many special rules.
- 1
Enter annual ordinary income
Use gross income expected for the 2026 tax year and choose the filing status you expect to use.
- 2
Separate deductions from credits
Enter eligible pre-tax deductions before tax and federal credits after the preliminary tax estimate.
- 3
Review both tax rates
Use the marginal rate to understand the next dollar of ordinary income and the effective rate to understand the overall estimate.
Worked planning example
Example: test how a pre-tax contribution affects federal tax
Set up
Run a household’s expected gross income, filing status, deductions, and credits using the 2026 assumptions.
Compare
Increase an eligible pre-tax deduction while leaving income and credits unchanged, then compare taxable income and estimated federal tax.
Takeaway
A deduction reduces taxable income; a credit reduces estimated tax. They should not be treated as interchangeable.
Know what this federal estimate leaves out
Tax outcomes depend on income type, eligibility rules, and facts that a short calculator cannot capture.
- State and local income taxes are excluded.
- Capital gains, self-employment tax, AMT, itemized deductions, and phase-outs may change the result.
- Use current IRS guidance or a qualified professional for filing decisions.
Calculation methodology and assumptions
This estimate applies 2026 federal ordinary-income brackets and the standard deduction. It excludes state and local tax, payroll tax, itemized deductions, capital-gains rates, AMT, phase-outs, and many credits.
Primary references
Frequently asked questions
Which tax year does this income-tax calculator use?
It uses the 2026 federal ordinary-income brackets and standard deductions. Tax year 2026 returns are generally filed in 2027.
Does the estimate include state income tax?
No. State and local income taxes are excluded because rates, deductions, and residency rules vary by jurisdiction.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
The marginal rate applies to the next portion of taxable ordinary income. The effective rate divides estimated federal tax by the income measure used by the calculator.
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