Free 2026 Federal Tax Calculator
2026 Federal Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 U.S. federal income tax, taxable income, marginal tax rate, and effective tax rate based on your annual income and filing status.
Enter your tax details
Estimate your 2026 U.S. federal income tax using your gross income, filing status, standard deduction, and federal tax brackets.
Enter your estimated annual gross income before the standard deduction.
Choose the federal filing status that best matches your situation.
Estimated 2026 Federal Tax
Enter a valid annual income to see your estimated federal income tax.
How to use this 2026 income tax calculator
Enter your annual gross income and select your filing status. The calculator applies the basic 2026 standard deduction and estimates taxable income before applying the applicable federal ordinary income tax brackets.
Your results include estimated federal income tax, taxable income, marginal tax rate, effective tax rate, and a breakdown showing how progressive federal tax brackets apply.
Taxable Income
The simplified amount remaining after subtracting the basic standard deduction from entered gross income.
Marginal Tax Rate
The federal tax rate applied to the highest portion of taxable ordinary income reached by the estimate.
Effective Tax Rate
Estimated federal income tax expressed as a percentage of the gross income entered.
How federal income tax works
The United States uses a progressive federal income tax system. Different portions of taxable income can therefore be taxed at different rates.
Moving into a higher tax bracket does not mean all of your taxable income is taxed at the higher rate. Only the portion falling within that bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
Simplified Taxable Income Formula
Taxable Income = Gross Income − Basic Standard Deduction
Federal Income Tax
Tax is calculated progressively across each applicable bracket
2026 federal income tax rates
For tax year 2026, the federal ordinary individual income tax rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The taxable income thresholds at which those rates apply depend on filing status.
These percentages are marginal tax rates. Your actual overall effective tax rate can be lower because taxable income is divided among the applicable brackets rather than taxed entirely at one rate.
2026 standard deduction
This calculator uses the basic 2026 federal standard deduction associated with the filing status selected.
This calculator uses the basic standard deduction only. Additional deductions or special rules that may apply to an individual are not automatically included.
Marginal tax rate vs. effective tax rate
Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to the highest portion of taxable ordinary income reached by the calculation.
Your effective tax rate measures estimated federal income tax as a percentage of the gross income entered into this calculator. Because federal tax brackets are progressive, your effective tax rate will often be lower than your marginal rate.
2026 federal income tax example
Suppose a single filer enters $80,000 of annual gross income. The calculator first subtracts the applicable basic standard deduction to estimate taxable income.
Annual Gross Income: $80,000
Filing Status: Single
2026 Basic Standard Deduction: $16,100
Estimated Taxable Income: $63,900
The estimated $63,900 of taxable income is not taxed at one single percentage. Instead, portions of the taxable income fall into the applicable 10%, 12%, and 22% brackets.
Why filing status affects your federal tax estimate
Federal tax bracket thresholds and standard deduction amounts differ by filing status. As a result, two taxpayers with the same gross income can have different estimated taxable income and federal income tax.
Single
Uses the federal thresholds and basic standard deduction applicable to single filers.
Married Filing Jointly
Uses the federal thresholds applicable to qualifying married couples filing a joint return.
Head of Household
Uses the applicable federal head-of-household thresholds and basic standard deduction.
Gross income vs. taxable income
Gross income and taxable income are not necessarily the same amount. Federal tax calculations can involve adjustments, deductions, and other provisions before the applicable tax rates are applied.
For simplicity, this calculator begins with the gross income you enter and subtracts the basic standard deduction. It does not attempt to reproduce every step of an individual federal income tax return.
Is this a tax refund calculator?
No. A tax refund depends on more than estimated tax liability. Refunds or balances due can be affected by federal income tax withholding, estimated tax payments, refundable credits, other payments, and your final tax return.
This calculator estimates simplified federal income tax liability rather than your expected IRS refund.
Does this calculator include Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. Social Security and Medicare taxes are payroll taxes and are separate from the regular federal income tax estimated by this calculator.
Does this calculator include capital gains tax?
No. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends can receive tax treatment different from ordinary income. This calculator focuses on a simplified ordinary federal income tax estimate.
Selling stocks or other investments?
Use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator for a simplified estimate of short-term or long-term investment gains.
Capital Gains Tax Calculator →What this federal income tax calculator does not include
An actual U.S. federal tax return can include many additional deductions, credits, taxes, income categories, and special provisions. This calculator intentionally uses a simplified model.
Tax Credits
Child-related, education, energy, and other federal tax credits are not included.
Itemized Deductions
The calculator assumes the basic standard deduction rather than itemized deductions.
Payroll Taxes
Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes are not included.
State & Local Taxes
State and local income taxes are not included.
Investment Tax Rules
Preferential long-term capital gains and qualified dividend rates are not included.
Additional Deductions
Additional deductions, adjustments, and special federal tax provisions are not automatically included.
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Calculate 401(k) Savings →2026 Federal Income Tax Calculator FAQ
What are the federal income tax rates for 2026?
The 2026 federal ordinary individual income tax rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The taxable income ranges depend on filing status.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
The basic 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for Single filers, $32,200 for Married Filing Jointly, and $24,150 for Head of Household. Other rules or additional deductions can apply in some circumstances.
How do I estimate my federal income tax?
A simplified estimate starts by determining taxable income and then applying the applicable federal tax brackets progressively. Actual tax returns can include additional deductions, credits, taxes, and other rules.
What is a marginal tax rate?
Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to the highest portion of taxable ordinary income reached by the estimate. It does not mean all of your income is taxed at that rate.
What is an effective tax rate?
In this calculator, the effective tax rate is estimated regular federal income tax divided by the gross income entered.
Does a higher tax bracket mean all my income is taxed at that rate?
No. Federal income tax brackets are progressive. Only the portion of taxable income falling within a particular bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
Does this calculator include state income tax?
No. It estimates simplified U.S. federal ordinary income tax only and does not include state or local income taxes.
Does this calculator estimate my tax refund?
No. Tax refunds depend on withholding, estimated payments, refundable credits, final tax liability, and other factors.
Does this calculator include Social Security and Medicare?
No. Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes are separate from the regular federal income tax estimated here.
Does this calculator include capital gains tax?
No. Preferential long-term capital gains rates and other investment-specific tax rules are not included.
Is this the exact amount I will owe the IRS?
No. This is a simplified estimate. Actual federal tax liability can differ because of deductions, credits, adjustments, additional taxes, investment income, special tax provisions, and other information on your tax return.
2026 federal tax data
The 2026 federal tax rates and basic standard deduction amounts shown on this page are based on published IRS tax-year 2026 guidance. Tax laws, guidance, and individual circumstances can affect actual results.
Federal tax estimate only
This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, financial, or accounting advice. It provides a simplified estimate and does not reproduce a complete federal income tax return. Actual tax liability can differ materially based on deductions, credits, filing circumstances, income types, additional taxes, and other federal tax rules.