Income tax calculator
Estimate federal and state income taxes, FICA and take-home pay, and see how deductions change the result.
Filing status
Income
Pre-tax deductions
2026 limit: $24,500
2026 limit: $4,400 (individual) / $8,750 (family)
2026 limit: $7,500
Tax deduction
State and dependents
Key insights
Three income tax concepts that help reduce your tax burden, with your own numbers.
- Marginal vs effective rate
- Your marginal rate is not the rate you pay on all income. The progressive tax system means each portion of income is taxed at its own bracket rate.Your marginal rate is 22.00% but you effectively pay only 10.23%.
- Standard vs itemized
- Choose whichever deduction is larger. The standard deduction benefits most taxpayers, but homeowners with large mortgages may benefit from itemizing.Standard $16,100 (selected), itemized $0.
- Pre-tax deduction power
- 401(k), HSA, and Traditional IRA contributions reduce your AGI before brackets are applied, effectively lowering your tax bill.Your $0 in pre-tax deductions save approximately $0 in federal taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about income tax and this calculator.
- What is the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
- Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to the last dollar you earn -- it corresponds to the highest bracket your income falls into. Your effective tax rate is the average rate you actually pay across all brackets. For example, if your marginal rate is 22%, your effective rate might only be 12% because the first portions of your income are taxed at 10% and 12%. The effective rate gives you a more realistic picture of your overall tax burden.
- Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
- You should choose whichever gives you the larger deduction. For 2026, the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married filing jointly. Itemizing may benefit you if your combined mortgage interest, state and local taxes (capped at $40,400), charitable donations, and qualifying medical expenses exceed the standard deduction. Most taxpayers benefit from the standard deduction since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled it.
- What are FICA taxes and how are they calculated?
- FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and funds Social Security and Medicare. The employee portion is 6.2% of wages for Social Security (up to $184,500 in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare on all wages. High earners pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surcharge on wages above $200,000. FICA taxes are separate from federal income tax and are not reduced by deductions or exemptions.
- How do pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and HSA reduce my taxes?
- Pre-tax contributions to a 401(k), HSA, or Traditional IRA reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI) before your tax deduction and brackets are applied. For example, if you earn $75,000 and contribute $6,000 to a 401(k), only $69,000 is used to calculate your federal income tax. This effectively lowers the amount of income that reaches higher tax brackets, reducing your overall tax bill. The 2026 contribution limits are $24,500 for 401(k), $4,400 for HSA (individual), and $7,500 for Traditional IRA.
- How do state income taxes work?
- State income taxes vary widely. Nine states -- Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming -- have no state income tax. Other states use either a flat rate (like Illinois at 4.95%) or progressive brackets (like California with rates up to 13.3%). Our calculator uses approximate effective state rates for a middle-income earner. Your actual state tax liability may differ based on your state's specific brackets, deductions, and credits.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It uses simplified state tax rates and does not account for all credits, deductions, exemptions, or local taxes. Your actual tax liability may differ. This tool does not constitute tax or financial advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
By the numbers
What the data says
- 2026 tax year
$7,500
IRA contribution limit for 2026
Plus a $1,100 catch-up at 50 and over
Source: IRS, Notice 2025-67 - 2026 tax year
$19,000
Annual gift tax exclusion per recipient in 2026
Gifts up to this amount need no gift tax return
Source: IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32 - 2026 tax year
$8,750
HSA contribution limit for family coverage in 2026
$4,400 for self-only coverage, plus $1,000 catch-up at 55
Source: IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-19
National figures from the sources shown, as of the period on each card. They are context, not a forecast or advice for your situation.
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