Zenivra Finance Calculators

US Income Tax Calculator

Progressive 2026 federal tax estimate with standard deduction, state tax, FICA, and take-home pay.

Federal Tax$0
State Tax$0
FICA$0
Estimated Annual Take-Home$0
Effective Tax Rate0%
Taxable Income$0

How this federal tax estimate works

This calculator estimates your 2026 federal income tax by subtracting pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction for your filing status, then applying the seven federal brackets one slice at a time. It also adds Social Security and Medicare, and a flat state tax rate that you choose.

The result is a planning estimate. It does not include tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, itemised deductions, or the new temporary deductions for tips, overtime and taxpayers aged 65 and over.

Worked example with the default values

A single filer earning $85,000, with a 5% state rate and no pre-tax deductions:

  • Taxable income: $85,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $68,900
  • Federal income tax: 10% on $12,400 + 12% on $38,000 + 22% on $18,500 = $9,870
  • Social Security and Medicare (7.65%): $6,502.50
  • State tax at 5%: $4,250
  • Take-home pay: $64,377.50 a year, an overall tax rate of about 24.3%

Putting $6,000 into a traditional 401(k) would cut federal tax by $1,320 (22% of $6,000) and state tax by $300. Social Security and Medicare stay the same, because they apply to gross wages.

2026 figures used

  • Standard deduction: $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household.
  • Brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%, with 2026 inflation-adjusted thresholds.
  • Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500. Medicare: 1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000 (single).
  • State tax is applied as a single flat rate for simplicity; many states use brackets of their own.

Want the full explanation? Read our guide: US Tax Brackets for 2026: Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate.

How to use the US Income Tax Calculator

  1. Enter annual income, filing status, and any available deductions.
  2. Review the estimated federal tax, payroll taxes, and net income together.
  3. Use the result for planning, then confirm final numbers with official forms or a tax adviser.

Progressive tax estimate

Taxable income = gross income − deductions; total tax = sum of tax calculated across each bracket

  • Gross income: Annual income before deductions
  • Deductions: Standard or other deductions used in the estimate
  • Brackets: Progressive tax bands applied incrementally

The calculator estimates federal tax progressively rather than applying one flat rate to all income. Payroll taxes may be shown separately.

Quick planning notes for the US Income Tax Calculator

Federal plus state estimate and yearly take-home pay. Start with a realistic baseline, then change one input at a time to see how the result moves. That makes it easier to compare scenarios and spot the trade-offs that matter most.

Tax planning notes

  • Treat this as an educational estimate and verify official rates, thresholds, and allowances before filing.
  • Run scenarios at different income levels to understand how rate changes affect net outcomes.
  • Use salary and retirement tools alongside tax estimates to see the practical impact on take-home pay.

Keep in mind

These results are designed for educational planning. Real-world figures can change based on official rates, lender fees, tax treatment, insurance, and personal circumstances.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the effective rate and my tax bracket?

Your bracket (marginal rate) applies only to your last dollars of income. The effective rate shown here is all of your income, payroll and state taxes divided by gross income.

Why does my refund not match this estimate?

Your refund depends on how much was withheld during the year, and on credits and deductions this calculator does not include.

Should I enter my 401(k) contribution as a pre-tax deduction?

Yes, for a traditional 401(k), 403(b) or HSA. Roth contributions are made after tax, so leave them out.

Does a raise ever reduce my take-home pay?

Not because of the brackets. Only the income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate, so you always keep most of a raise.

Guides on this topic

Plain-English explanations to help you read the result above.

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