Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 U.S. federal tax, state tax, FICA, and take-home pay.
Tax Breakdown
What is a Tax Calculator?
A tax calculator estimates your income tax liability based on your filing status, gross income, deductions, and state tax rate. It breaks down federal tax, FICA, and state tax to show your effective rate and net take-home pay.
This simplified calculator uses the 2026 U.S. federal tax brackets for single and married filing jointly taxpayers. It is designed for quick estimation and educational purposes, not as a substitute for professional tax advice.
How to Use
- Select your filing status: Single or Married Filing Jointly.
- Enter your gross annual income before any taxes or deductions.
- Input your deductions or leave blank to use the default standard deduction estimate.
- Enter your state tax rate and click Calculate to see your tax breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tax brackets does this use?
This calculator uses simplified 2026 federal brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% for single filers, with doubled thresholds for married filing jointly.
What is FICA?
FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax, which funds Social Security and Medicare. It is typically 7.65% of gross wages for employees.
Does this include local taxes?
No, this calculator only estimates federal and state income taxes. Local or city taxes should be calculated separately.
Should I use standard or itemized deductions?
Use whichever is larger. The calculator defaults to a standard deduction estimate, but you can replace it with your actual itemized deductions if they exceed the standard amount.