Federal Tax Brackets Calculator
See how marginal tax rates apply to each layer of your income and estimate your total federal income tax.
Tax year affects bracket thresholds and the standard deduction.
Your gross annual income before any deductions.
Estimated taxable income: $83,900
Standard deduction: $16,100
Estimated federal income tax
$13,170
Effective tax rate
13.2%
Marginal tax rate
22.0%
After-tax income (federal only)
$86,830
Tax breakdown by bracket
| Bracket rate | Amount in bracket | Tax for bracket |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0% | $12,400 | $1,240 |
| 12.0% | $38,000 | $4,560 |
| 22.0% | $33,500 | $7,370 |
Only brackets with income are shown, plus the first bracket for context.
About this calculator
Federal income tax uses a progressive bracket system, meaning different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your highest dollar of income, while your effective tax rate is the average rate across all your income.
This calculator shows you exactly how much of your income falls into each bracket and how much tax you pay at each rate. This helps clarify the common misconception that earning more money can push you into a higher bracket and cause you to pay more tax on all your income—in reality, only the income above each bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate.
This is an estimate for federal income tax only. It does not include FICA (Social Security and Medicare), state or local taxes, credits, or other adjustments.
What each input means
- Tax year The tax year determines which bracket thresholds and standard deduction amounts apply. 2026 brackets reflect the most recent updates, while 2025 brackets are available for comparison.
- Filing status Your filing status affects both bracket thresholds and standard deduction amounts. Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, and Head of Household each have different bracket structures.
- Annual pre-tax income Your gross annual income before any deductions, adjustments, or credits. This is your total income from all sources before taxes.
- Apply standard deduction When enabled, the standard deduction reduces your taxable income. You can toggle this off to see your tax liability without the standard deduction, which is useful if you plan to itemize deductions instead.
How it works
The calculator first determines your taxable income by subtracting the standard deduction (if applied) from your gross income. Taxable income cannot be negative.
Next, it applies each tax bracket to the portion of your taxable income that falls within that bracket's range. For example, if you have $60,000 in taxable income as a single filer in 2026, the first $12,400 is taxed at 10%, the next $38,000 ($12,400 to $50,400) is taxed at 12%, and the remaining $9,600 ($50,400 to $60,000) is taxed at 22%.
The total tax is the sum of all bracket taxes. Your effective tax rate is calculated as total tax divided by gross income, while your marginal tax rate is the rate of the highest bracket that your taxable income touches.
After-tax income is simply your gross income minus the total federal income tax.
Key assumptions & limitations
- FICA/payroll taxes excluded – Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes are not included in this calculation.
- State and local taxes excluded – This calculator only covers federal income tax. State and local income taxes vary by location.
- Tax credits excluded – Credits like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and others are not factored in.
- Additional taxes excluded – Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and self-employment tax are not included.
- Itemized deductions not modeled – This calculator uses the standard deduction only. If you itemize, your taxable income may be different.
- Capital gains brackets not included – This calculator uses ordinary income brackets. Long-term capital gains have separate bracket rates.
This calculator provides an estimate for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional tax advice or a complete tax return. Always consult with a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.