Enter Your Information
Using 2026 IRS tax-year figures. Switch to 2025 when preparing or reviewing a 2025 return.
Filing Information
Filing Status
Tax Year
Income
W-2 / Wages & Salary From employer(s)
$
Business / Self-Employment Income Net profit
$
Other Income Interest, dividends, rental, etc.
$
Deductions & Adjustments
Deduction Method
Other Adjustments / Above-Line Deductions IRA, student loan interest, etc.
$
Credits
Total Tax Credits CTC, education, child care, etc.
$
Estimated 2026 Federal Tax
$0
Based on your inputs above
Gross Income
—
Taxable Income
—
Effective Rate
—
of gross income
Marginal Rate
—
top bracket
SE Tax (if any)
—
After Credits
—
Bracket Breakdown
RateIncome RangeYour IncomeTax in Bracket
📆 Quarterly Estimated Payments (Safe Harbor)
Q1 2026Due Apr 15, 2026$0
Q2 2026Due Jun 16, 2026$0
Q3 2026Due Sep 15, 2026$0
Q4 2026Due Jan 15, 2027$0
How Federal Income Tax Is Calculated
Progressive Tax Brackets
The US uses a progressive tax system, meaning only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. If you're in the 22% bracket, you don't pay 22% on all your income — only on the portion that falls within that range. The lower portions are taxed at 10% and 12% respectively.
Marginal vs. Effective Rate
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income (your "top bracket"). Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your gross income — this is what you actually pay as a percentage of earnings, and is always lower than your marginal rate.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions
For 2026, the standard deduction is $16,100 (Single/MFS), $32,200 (MFJ), and $24,150 (HOH). Itemizing may be beneficial when allowable deductions exceed the standard deduction; SALT limits and high-income limitations may apply.
Self-Employment Tax
Self-employed individuals generally pay 12.4% Social Security tax up to the annual wage base plus 2.9% Medicare tax, with Additional Medicare Tax potentially applying at higher income levels. One-half of regular self-employment tax is generally deductible.
📊 2026 Tax Reference
Standard Ded. (Single)$16,100
Standard Ded. (MFJ)$32,200
Standard Ded. (HOH)$24,150
Top Bracket Rate37%
SS Wage Base (2026)$184,500
Medicare Add'l (>$200k)+0.9%
SALT Cap (before phaseout)$40,400*
AMT Exemption (Single)$90,100
💡 Tax-Saving Tips
Max retirement contributions: Eligible pre-tax contributions can reduce taxable income, subject to annual plan limits.
HSA contributions: Eligible contributions can provide a triple tax advantage, subject to annual limits.
Self-employed? Consider an S-Corp election to reduce SE tax on net profit above ~$50k.
Bunch charitable gifts in alternating years to exceed the standard deduction threshold.
Harvest capital losses before Dec 31 to offset capital gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income.