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📘 About the US Federal Income Tax & Refund Calculator 2026
Federal income tax is charged on taxable income: your income minus pre-tax deductions, the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household for 2026) and other deductions. The rest is taxed in brackets of 10% to 37%.
Credits then cut the tax: $2,200 per child (up to $1,700 refundable) and the earned income tax credit. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act added deductions for 2025–2028: $6,000 for people 65+, up to $25,000 of tips, up to $12,500 of overtime premium and up to $10,000 of interest on a new American-assembled car. Compare the result with the tax already withheld to see your refund.
🧮 Formula
✏️ Worked examples
Single, $75,000 wages, $5,000 401(k), $8,000 withheld
You get| Estimated refund | $1,430 |
| Total federal tax | $6,570 |
| Adjusted gross income (AGI) | $70,000 |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 |
| Taxable income | $53,900 |
| Income tax before credits | $6,570 |
| Marginal tax bracket | 22% |
| Effective tax rate | 8.8% of income |
$1,430.
Married, $120,000, 2 children, $9,000 withheld
You get| Estimated refund | $3,360 |
| Total federal tax | $5,640 |
| Adjusted gross income (AGI) | $120,000 |
| Standard deduction | $32,200 |
| Taxable income | $87,800 |
| Income tax before credits | $10,040 |
| Child tax credit | $4,400 |
| Marginal tax bracket | 12% |
| Effective tax rate | 4.7% of income |
$3,360.
🧭 How to use this calculator
What you enter
- Filing status
- Wages (W-2 box 1 before 401(k)) ($)
- 401(k) / pre-tax deductions ($)
- Self-employment profit ($)
- Interest, unemployment, other income ($)
- Long-term gains & qualified dividends ($)
- Itemized deductions (0 = standard) ($)
- Children under 17
- Other dependents
- People 65 or older on the return
- Qualified tips ($)
- Qualified overtime premium ($)
- New US-assembled car loan interest ($)
- Federal tax withheld (W-2 box 2) + estimated payments ($)
What you get
- Estimated refund
- Total federal tax
- Adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Standard deduction
- Taxable income
- Income tax before credits
- Marginal tax bracket
- Effective tax rate
💡 2026 tax brackets — single
- 10%: $0 – $12,400
- 12%: $12,401 – $50,400
- 22%: $50,401 – $105,700
- 24%: $105,701 – $201,775
- 32%: $201,776 – $256,225
- 35%: $256,226 – $640,600
- 37%: over $640,600
❓ Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
For single filers: 10% up to $12,400, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600 and 37% above. Married filing jointly brackets are double up to the 35% band ($768,700).
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for head of household, plus $2,050 (single) or $1,650 (married) for each person 65+ or blind.
Is there no tax on tips and overtime in 2026?
Yes, for federal income tax: up to $25,000 of qualified tips and $12,500 ($25,000 joint) of overtime premium can be deducted for 2025–2028, phasing out above $150,000 ($300,000 joint) income. Social Security and Medicare tax still apply.
How much is the senior deduction?
$6,000 per person aged 65 or older for 2025 to 2028, on top of the standard deduction, reduced by 6% of income over $75,000 ($150,000 joint).
Why is my refund smaller than last year?
Usually because less tax was withheld, you earned more, or a credit you claimed before (such as a child turning 17) no longer applies.
