Introduction
This free 2026 tax calculator estimates your federal income tax, payroll tax, state tax, and local tax for the 2026 tax year. It updates your results live as you type, so you can see your estimated tax refund or balance due right away. The calculator uses the latest 2026 tax brackets, the updated standard deduction, the $40,400 SALT cap, and current tax credit amounts like the $2,200 Child Tax Credit.
Enter your filing status, income, deductions, and credits below. The tool will show you a full tax breakdown, a bracket-by-bracket chart, your effective tax rate, and your estimated take-home pay. You can also compare scenarios, like standard vs. itemized deductions, to find ways to lower your tax bill.
This calculator is built for the federal return you will file by April 15, 2027. It covers W-2 wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and more. All math is shown step by step so you can check every number yourself.
How to Use Our 2026 Tax Calculator
Enter your income, deductions, and credits below. The calculator will show your estimated federal tax, refund or balance due, effective tax rate, and a full breakdown of how your taxes are computed for the 2026 tax year.
Taxpayer Profile
Filing Status: Pick the status that matches your situation on December 31, 2026. Choose Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Surviving Spouse.
Your Age: Enter your age as of December 31, 2026. If you are 65 or older, you get a larger standard deduction.16
Spouse's Age: This field appears if you file jointly or separately. Enter your spouse's age for the extra senior deduction.
Can Someone Claim You as a Dependent?: Select Yes if another person (like a parent) claims you on their tax return. This limits your standard deduction.
Primary Residence (State): Choose the state where you live. This is used to estimate your state income tax.
City / Locality: If your city charges a local income tax, select it here. Otherwise, choose None.
Income
W-2 Available?: If you have your W-2, select Yes and type your exact wages. If not, select No and enter your gross pay per paycheck along with how often you are paid.
Wages, Salaries & Tips: Enter the total amount from Box 1 of your W-2. This is your main job income before deductions.
Gross Pay Per Period & Pay Frequency: If you do not have your W-2, enter what you earn each paycheck before taxes. Then pick how often you get paid (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
Self-Employment / 1099 Net Income: Enter your net profit from freelance or contract work after business expenses.
Interest & Dividend Income: Enter the total interest and dividends you earned from bank accounts, investments, or stocks.
Social Security Benefits Received: Enter the full amount of Social Security you received. The calculator figures out how much of it is taxable.
Other Taxable Income: Enter any other income such as rental income, alimony received, or gambling winnings.
401(k)/403(b)/457 Contributions: Enter how much you put into your workplace retirement plan. This lowers your taxable income.
Traditional IRA Contributions: Enter how much you contributed to a traditional IRA. This may also lower your taxable income.
Other Pre-Tax (HSA, Section 125): Enter any other pre-tax deductions like Health Savings Account or cafeteria plan contributions.
Deductions
Deduction Method: Choose Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions. The calculator shows which one saves you more money.
Mortgage Interest Paid: If you itemize, enter the mortgage interest you paid during the year.
State & Local Taxes (SALT): Enter the state and local taxes you paid. The cap for tax year 2026 is $40,400.17
Charitable (Cash): Enter cash donations you made to qualified charities.
Charitable (Non-Cash): Enter the fair market value of items like clothing or furniture you donated.
Medical & Dental Expenses: Enter your total medical and dental costs. Only the amount above 7.5% of your AGI counts.8
Other Schedule A Deductions: Enter any other itemized deductions not listed above.
Educator Expenses: If you are a teacher, enter classroom supplies you paid for out of pocket, up to $300.10
Student Loan Interest Paid: Enter interest you paid on student loans, up to $2,500.9 This applies whether you itemize or not.
Alimony Paid: Enter alimony payments and check the box only if your divorce agreement was finalized before 2019.11
Credits & Withholding
Federal Income Tax Withheld: Enter the total federal tax already taken from your paychecks. This is Box 2 on your W-2.
Estimated Tax Payments Made: Enter any quarterly tax payments you sent to the IRS during 2026.
Qualifying Children Under 17: Enter the number of your children under age 17. Each child is worth a $2,200 Child Tax Credit.5
Other Dependents (17+): Enter the number of dependents age 17 or older. Each one is worth a $500 credit.5
Child/Dependent Care Expenses: Enter what you paid for daycare or dependent care so you could work.
Qualifying Care Individuals: Enter how many children or dependents received the care. The expense cap is $3,000 for one or $6,000 for two or more.7
American Opportunity Credit (AOTC): Check this box if you or a dependent is in the first four years of college.12 Then enter qualified tuition and expenses.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC): Check this box for other higher education costs. You cannot claim both credits for the same student.12
Other Federal Credits: Enter any other credits such as the Saver's Credit or residential energy credits.
Once all fields are filled in, click Calculate to see your full results. The live estimate panel at the top updates automatically as you type. Click Reset to clear all fields and start over.
2026 Federal Income Tax Calculator
This free 2026 tax calculator estimates how much federal income tax you will owe or get back as a refund for the 2026 tax year. It uses the latest IRS tax brackets, standard deduction amounts, and credit rules that apply to returns filed in 2027. Just enter your income, filing status, deductions, and credits, and the tool calculates your tax in real time.
How Federal Income Tax Works in 2026
The United States uses a progressive tax system. This means you pay a lower rate on the first dollars you earn and a higher rate as your income goes up. In 2026, there are seven federal tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.1 Your filing status, such as Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household, determines the income ranges for each bracket.
You do not pay tax on every dollar you make. First, you subtract your deductions from your adjusted gross income (AGI). Most people take the standard deduction, which is $16,100 for Single filers and $32,200 for Married Filing Jointly in 2026.1 If your mortgage interest, state taxes, and charitable gifts add up to more than the standard deduction, you may save money by itemizing instead. The amount left after your deduction is your taxable income, and that is what gets taxed.
Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions
A deduction lowers the income that gets taxed. A tax credit cuts your tax bill dollar for dollar, so credits are usually worth more. Key 2026 credits include the Child Tax Credit ($2,200 per child under 17),5 the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for lower-income workers, and education credits like the American Opportunity Credit.12 Some credits are refundable, which means they can give you money back even if you owe no tax.
Other Taxes This Calculator Covers
Beyond federal income tax, most workers also pay FICA payroll taxes: 6.2% for Social Security (up to $184,500 in wages) and 1.45% for Medicare.3 If you are self-employed, you pay both the employee and employer share, known as self-employment tax.4 This calculator also estimates your state income tax and any local or city tax so you can see your full tax picture in one place.
Key 2026 Tax Numbers to Know
- Standard Deduction: $16,100 (Single), $32,200 (Married Filing Jointly), $24,150 (Head of Household)1
- Child Tax Credit: $2,200 per qualifying child, up to $1,700 refundable5
- SALT Cap: $40,400 for state and local tax deductions17
- 401(k) Contribution Limit: $24,500 ($32,500 if age 50 or older)13
- Social Security Wage Base: $184,5003
This calculator gives you an estimate. Your actual tax may differ based on your full return. For official tax advice, talk to a qualified tax professional or visit IRS.gov.