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Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate your federal income tax, effective rate, and take-home pay for the 2026 tax year.

$

Using standard deduction

Federal Income Tax

$7,960.00

Effective Rate

10.613299999999999%

Marginal Rate

22%

Gross Income
$75,000.00
Deduction
- $15,700.00
Taxable Income
$59,300.00
Federal Tax
- $7,960.00
Net After Tax
$67,040.00

Net After Tax

$67,040.00

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Understanding Federal Income Tax

The United States uses a progressive federal income tax system, meaning that higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates. Your total tax liability is not determined by a single flat rate but rather by a series of tax brackets, each with its own rate. For the 2026 tax year, there are seven federal income tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37%. Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, which is why your effective tax rate is always lower than your marginal rate. Understanding how this system works is essential for making informed financial decisions, from retirement planning to evaluating job offers.

Tax Brackets and Marginal Rates

Each tax bracket defines a range of income and the rate at which that income is taxed. Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income. For example, a single filer earning $60,000 in taxable income in 2026 would pay 10% on the first $11,925, 12% on income from $11,926 to $48,475, and 22% on income from $48,476 to $60,000. The 22% is the marginal rate, but the effective rate — the average rate across all income — would be significantly lower. This distinction is important because many people mistakenly believe that earning more money and moving into a higher bracket means all of their income is taxed at the higher rate. In reality, only the income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the new rate, so a raise will never result in less take-home pay.

Standard vs. Itemized Deductions

Deductions reduce your taxable income, which in turn lowers the amount of tax you owe. The standard deduction is a fixed amount set by the IRS that most taxpayers can claim without needing to list individual expenses. For 2026, the projected standard deduction is $15,700 for single filers and $31,400 for married couples filing jointly. Alternatively, you can choose to itemize your deductions if your qualifying expenses — such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes (capped at $10,000), medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, and charitable contributions — add up to more than the standard deduction. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly increased the standard deduction, roughly 90% of taxpayers now take the standard deduction rather than itemizing. You should calculate both options and choose whichever results in a lower tax bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tax brackets are ranges of income that are taxed at specific rates. The US uses a progressive tax system, meaning only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. For example, if you are single and earn $50,000, you do not pay the 22% rate on the entire amount — only the portion above the 12% bracket threshold is taxed at 22%.
Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income — it corresponds to the highest bracket your income falls into. Your effective tax rate is the average rate you actually pay across all brackets, calculated by dividing your total tax by your gross income. The effective rate is always lower than the marginal rate because lower portions of your income are taxed at lower rates.
You should take whichever deduction is larger. The standard deduction for 2026 is projected at $15,700 for single filers and $31,400 for married filing jointly. If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state and local taxes up to $10,000, charitable contributions, etc.) exceed the standard deduction, itemizing will save you more on taxes.
Filing status determines your tax bracket thresholds and standard deduction amount. Married Filing Jointly has the widest brackets and highest standard deduction, meaning more income is taxed at lower rates. Head of Household offers wider brackets than Single but narrower than Married Filing Jointly. Married Filing Separately generally has the least favorable brackets.
Taxable income is your gross income minus deductions. If you take the standard deduction, your taxable income equals your gross income minus the standard deduction amount. If you itemize, it equals your gross income minus your total itemized deductions. Only your taxable income is subject to federal income tax brackets.
No. This calculator covers federal income tax only. State income tax rates vary significantly — some states like Texas, Florida, and Washington have no state income tax, while others like California and New York have rates exceeding 10%. A state tax calculator will be added in a future update.

All calculations are for general informational purposes only. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. No guarantee of accuracy. Use at your own risk. Full disclaimer