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US Income Tax Estimator

Estimate your income tax using current tax brackets and deduction values. Free online, browser-based tool with instant results and no signup.

Your Income Details

Annual Income

Filing Status

State

How Income Tax Brackets Work

The United States uses a progressive federal income tax system, meaning your income is taxed at increasing rates as it moves through defined brackets. A common misconception is that moving into a higher bracket means all of your income is taxed at that higher rate — this is not the case.

Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rate

Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income. For example, if you earn $100,000 as a single filer in 2026, your marginal rate is 22%. However, not all $100,000 is taxed at 22%. The first $12,400 is taxed at 10%, the next portion at 12%, and only the amount above $50,400 (after deductions) is taxed at 22%.

Your effective tax rate is what you actually pay as a percentage of your total income. It's always lower than your marginal rate because only a portion of your income is taxed at the highest bracket.

Standard Deduction (2026)

Single: $16,100
Married Filing Jointly: $32,200
Married Filing Separately: $16,100
Head of Household: $24,150

The standard deduction reduces your taxable income before brackets are applied. If your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable contributions, etc.) exceed the standard deduction, you may benefit from itemizing instead.

State Income Tax

In addition to federal taxes, most states levy their own income tax. Rates vary significantly — states like California and Oregon have rates above 9%, while Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax on earned wages. This calculator uses simplified effective state rates for a quick estimate.

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How to Use the US Income Tax Estimator

1
Select your filing status
Choose your filing status such as Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household.
2
Enter your income
Input your total annual gross income from all sources, including wages, freelance earnings, and investment income.
3
Add deductions
Enter your deductions, either the standard deduction for your filing status or your itemized deductions if they are higher.
4
View your tax bracket breakdown
Review the results to see which federal tax brackets apply to your income and how much you owe at each marginal rate.

Sources & Verification

Tax rates verified against official government sources for current published tax years

IRS Tax Brackets

Published by ConvertCrunch Editorial Team | Our Methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

How do US federal income tax brackets work?

The US uses a progressive tax system with seven brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Only income within each bracket is taxed at that rate, not your entire income. For example, a single filer earning $50,000 in 2026 pays 10% on the first $12,400, 12% on income from $12,401 to $50,400, and 22% on the remainder. Your effective tax rate will always be lower than your marginal bracket rate.

What is the difference between standard deduction and itemized deductions?

The standard deduction is a fixed amount that reduces your taxable income -- $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married filing jointly in 2026. Itemized deductions let you deduct specific expenses like mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable donations, and medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI. You should choose whichever method gives you the larger deduction. About 87% of taxpayers use the standard deduction.

How do I estimate my total tax liability for the year?

Start with your gross income, then subtract above-the-line deductions (retirement contributions, student loan interest, HSA contributions) to get adjusted gross income. Next, subtract either the standard deduction or itemized deductions to find taxable income. Apply the progressive tax brackets to that amount. Finally, subtract any credits (child tax credit, education credits, earned income credit) from the resulting tax. This gives your net federal income tax liability.

Does this calculator include state income taxes?

This estimator focuses on federal income tax, which applies to all US taxpayers. State income tax varies significantly: nine states have no income tax at all, thirteen states use a flat rate, and the rest use progressive brackets. Your total income tax burden includes both federal and state taxes. For a complete picture, check your state's tax authority website or use a state-specific calculator alongside this federal estimator.

What tax credits can reduce my income tax?

Several federal credits can directly reduce your tax bill. The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child. The Earned Income Tax Credit offers up to $7,830 for families with three or more children. Education credits include the American Opportunity Credit (up to $2,500) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000). The Saver's Credit gives up to $1,000 for retirement contributions by lower-income taxpayers. Credits reduce your tax dollar-for-dollar, making them more valuable than deductions.

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