Income Tax Estimator 2026
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax from your gross income, filing status, and pre-tax deductions, with the official 2026 brackets and standard deduction.
Last updated: October 2026
Your 2026 tax inputs
How your 2026 federal income tax is figured
Your federal income tax is computed in three steps. First, pre-tax deductions (401(k) contributions, HSA money, health premiums paid through payroll) are subtracted from your gross income to get adjusted gross income (AGI). Second, the standard deduction is subtracted to get taxable income. Third, taxable income runs through the seven marginal tax brackets, which fill from the bottom up. This calculator performs all three steps with the official 2026 figures.
The 2026 federal tax brackets
For tax year 2026, the IRS raised bracket boundaries for inflation. Your filing status decides which table applies to you:
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,400 | $0 to $24,800 | $0 to $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,401 to $50,400 | $24,801 to $100,800 | $17,701 to $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,401 to $105,700 | $100,801 to $211,400 | $67,451 to $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 to $201,775 | $211,401 to $403,550 | $105,701 to $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,776 to $256,225 | $403,551 to $512,450 | $201,751 to $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,226 to $640,600 | $512,451 to $768,700 | $256,201 to $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
The 2026 standard deduction
For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household. You subtract it (or your itemized deductions, if larger) from AGI to arrive at taxable income. About 90% of filers take the standard deduction, which is why this calculator uses it by default.
Marginal rate vs. effective rate
Two rates matter, and they answer different questions. Your marginal rate is the rate on your next dollar of income: it tells you what a raise, a bonus, or extra freelance income will really cost you. Your effective rate is total tax divided by gross income: it tells you your overall tax burden. Because brackets fill from the bottom, your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate. Confusing the two is the most common tax mistake people make: moving into the 22% bracket does not tax all your income at 22%, only the dollars above $50,400 (single).
Worked example
A single filer earns $80,000 gross with no pre-tax deductions. AGI = $80,000. Subtract the $16,100 standard deduction: taxable income = $63,900. Now fill the single brackets:
- 10% on the first $12,400 = $1,240
- 12% on $12,401 to $50,400 = 0.12 x $38,000 = $4,560
- 22% on $50,401 to $63,900 = 0.22 x $13,500 = $2,970
Total federal tax = $1,240 + $4,560 + $2,970 = $8,770. Effective rate = $8,770 / $80,000 = 10.96%. Marginal bracket = 22%, which is the rate on the next dollar earned, not the rate on all $80,000.
Ways to lower the number
Legitimate ways to cut federal tax work by shrinking taxable income or by credits. Raising pre-tax 401(k) contributions cuts taxable income dollar for dollar. HSA contributions through payroll do the same and also skip FICA. Tax credits are even better than deductions: a $2,000 credit cuts tax by $2,000, while a $2,000 deduction cuts tax by $2,000 times your marginal rate. If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state and local taxes subject to caps, charitable giving) beat the standard deduction, itemizing wins: compare both totals rather than guessing.
Income Tax FAQs
What is the difference between a marginal rate and an effective rate?
Your marginal rate is the tax rate on your next dollar of income, decided by which bracket your top dollars fall in. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, which is always lower because lower brackets fill up first. This calculator shows both.
Do I have to itemize to get the standard deduction?
No, it is the opposite: you choose one or the other. The standard deduction is a fixed amount based on filing status ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household for 2026). You itemize only when your itemized deductions are bigger.
What counts as a pre-tax deduction?
Common pre-tax deductions include 401(k) and 403(b) contributions, HSA contributions through payroll, health insurance premiums paid through your employer, and FSA contributions. They reduce the income your federal tax is calculated on.
Does this estimator include state income tax?
No. State taxes vary widely: some states have no income tax, others have flat or progressive rates. This calculator covers federal income tax only. Use the paycheck calculator to add a rough state tax estimate.
Why is my taxable income lower than my salary?
Pre-tax deductions come off first to give adjusted gross income, then the standard deduction (or itemized deductions) comes off to give taxable income. Only that final number runs through the brackets.
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a solid ballpark for straightforward W-2 situations using the official 2026 brackets and standard deduction. It does not model credits (child tax credit, education credits), AMT, self-employment tax, or capital gains, which can all move the real number.
What if my income spans several brackets?
That is normal: the calculator fills each bracket from the bottom up. Only the income inside a bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so earning enough to enter the 22% bracket never means all your income is taxed at 22%.