Quick answer
Enter your filing status and yearly income, and this calculator subtracts the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and applies the 2026 IRS tax brackets (10% to 37%) to estimate your federal income tax. It shows your marginal bracket and effective rate. It does not include credits such as the EITC, payroll taxes, or state tax, and nothing you type is sent or stored.
Estimate your 2026 federal tax
Runs in your browser — nothing you enter is sent or stored.
Key takeaways
- Only income above each threshold is taxed at that bracket's rate, so a raise never leaves you with less after federal income tax.
- The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household.
- Credits such as the EITC and Child Tax Credit are not included, so your real bill may be lower. Filing a basic return is free through IRS Free File and VITA.
Table of contents
2026 tax brackets
These are the 2026 federal income tax brackets from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Each rate applies only to taxable income within its range. They apply to income earned in 2026, which most people report on the return they file in early 2027.
| 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 |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 |
How the estimate works
The U.S. system is marginal: your taxable income fills the brackets from the bottom up, 10% first, then 12%, then 22%, and so on. Being "in the 22% bracket" means only your top slice is taxed at 22%, and everything beneath it is taxed at the lower rates. That is why your effective rate (tax divided by total income) is always below your marginal bracket.
The calculator takes your gross income, subtracts any pre-tax contributions you enter (such as a traditional 401(k) or HSA) and the standard deduction for your filing status, and applies the brackets to what is left. For example, a single filer earning $52,000 with no pre-tax contributions has $35,900 of taxable income and an estimated federal income tax of about $4,060, an effective rate of about 7.8%. If you itemize deductions, have self-employment income, or claim credits, your real figure will differ. The IRS also lists the current rates and brackets on its site.
Credits this calculator can't see
Credits subtract directly from your tax, and refundable credits can pay out even when you owe nothing. The Earned Income Tax Credit is worth up to $8,231 for 2026 for a family with three or more qualifying children, and many eligible workers miss it because people with low incomes are often not required to file. If your income is modest, filing a return is how you collect it. Our guide to current payments and credits explains what is available. No new federal stimulus checks are scheduled.
Filing for free
You never need to pay to file a basic federal return. IRS Free File covers many filers online, and VITA and TCE sites offer free in-person help for qualifying households. To see what your income means for benefits, try our salary calculator and the poverty level calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
There are seven rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. For single filers, the 10% rate covers the first $12,400 of taxable income and the 37% rate starts above $640,600. For married couples filing jointly, the 10% rate covers the first $24,800 and the 37% rate starts above $768,700 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household. Extra amounts apply if you are 65 or older or blind.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of taxable income. Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your income. Because lower brackets apply first, your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate.
Does this calculator include state taxes or FICA?
No. It estimates federal income tax only. Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes take another 7.65% of most workers' wages, and most states add their own income tax.
Is my information saved when I use this calculator?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or stored.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
Estimates are informational only, not tax or financial advice — see our disclaimers.
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