Federal Income Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax from your gross income, filing status and deductions. See the tax you owe plus your marginal and effective rate, using current IRS brackets.
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax
How the 2026 federal income tax is calculated
Wondering how much you will owe (or get back) when you file your 2026 return in early 2027? This federal income tax calculator uses the latest IRS brackets from Revenue Procedure 2025-32 to estimate your liability. You enter your gross income, filing status and deductions, and the income tax estimator does the bracket math for you.
The United States uses a progressive system, so your income is taxed in slices. Only the income that falls inside each band is taxed at that band's rate. That is why a tax bracket calculator is useful: it separates your marginal rate (the rate on your last dollar) from your effective rate (your total tax divided by all your income). For 2026 the brackets were adjusted for inflation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, so your income tax calculator 2026 result can differ from prior years even if your income did not change.
Before the brackets apply, we subtract a deduction. Most filers take the 2026 standard deduction: $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household. If your itemized deductions are larger, enter them and the federal income tax rate calculator uses the higher amount.
2026 federal income tax brackets (single filers)
| Rate | Taxable income (single) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 - $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,401 - $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,401 - $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 - $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,776 - $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,226 - $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,601 or more |
Married-filing-jointly and head-of-household schedules use wider bands; this calculator applies the correct one for the status you enter.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your gross income. Type your total taxable income for 2026 before any deductions. This federal income tax calculator works for wages, salary, freelance income and most other ordinary income.
- Choose your filing status. Enter 1 for Single, 2 for Married filing jointly, or 3 for Head of household. Filing status sets which 2026 bracket schedule and standard deduction the income tax calculator 2026 applies.
- Add deductions or use the standard deduction. Leave deductions at 0 to apply the 2026 standard deduction automatically, or enter your itemized total if it is higher.
- Read your marginal and effective rate. After calculating, this tax bracket calculator shows the tax you owe, the top (marginal) rate on your last dollar, and your effective rate across all income.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this federal income tax calculator?
It applies the official 2026 IRS bracket schedule and standard deduction from Revenue Procedure 2025-32. It is a close estimate of your base tax, but it does not include every credit (such as the Child Tax Credit), the Additional Medicare Tax, or state income tax, so your filed return may differ.
What is the difference between my marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income; your effective rate is your total tax divided by your gross income. This tax bracket calculator shows both. Being 'in the 22% bracket' does not mean all of your income is taxed at 22%.
Does the income tax calculator 2026 include the standard deduction?
Yes. If you leave deductions at 0, it applies the 2026 standard deduction for your filing status automatically. Enter a higher number only if your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction.
Can I use this as a federal income tax rate calculator for a married couple?
Yes. Enter 2 for filing status and the calculator uses the 2026 married-filing-jointly brackets and the $32,200 standard deduction.
Does this estimate include state income tax?
No. This is a federal income tax estimator only. State income tax is calculated separately and varies by state; many states have their own brackets, and a few have no income tax at all.