For tax year 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single and married-filing-separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly and qualifying surviving spouses, and $24,150 for head of household.
2026 Federal Income Tax Estimator
Estimate 2026 federal income tax using current IRS brackets, standard deductions, marginal rate and effective rate.
Reviewed by the Smart Finance Calculators Editorial TeamLast reviewed:
Uses IRS federal tax brackets and standard deductions by year, defaulting to 2026. Simplified regular federal income tax estimate only — not a tax return or tax advice.
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Values update automatically. Currency: USD.
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This calculator provides a simplified estimate of regular U.S. federal income tax. It is not a tax return and does not provide tax advice.
Results
- Tax year
- 2026
- Filing status
- Single
- Gross income
- $75,000.00
- Pretax adjustments
- $6,000.00
- Deduction type
- Standard
- Deduction amount
- $16,100.00
- Estimated taxable income
- $52,900.00
- Estimated federal income tax
- $6,350.00
- Marginal tax rate
- 22.00%
- Effective tax rate
- 8.47%
- Estimated after-tax income
- $68,650.00
- Monthly estimated federal tax
- $529.17
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Chart data: bracket 10%, Tax 1240; bracket 12%, Tax 4560; bracket 22%, Tax 550
| Rate | Income range | Income in bracket | Tax in bracket |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.00% | $0.00 – $12,400.00 | $12,400.00 | $1,240.00 |
| 12.00% | $12,400.00 – $50,400.00 | $38,000.00 | $4,560.00 |
| 22.00% | $50,400.00 – $105,700.00 | $2,500.00 | $550.00 |
What the Tax Estimator calculator does
This federal income tax estimator gives a simplified forecast of your regular U.S. federal income tax and your marginal and effective tax rates for the selected year. It subtracts pretax adjustments and your standard or itemized deduction, then applies the progressive IRS bracket schedule for your filing status. It is a planning tool, not a tax return.
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How the calculation works
Taxable income equals gross income minus eligible pretax adjustments minus your selected deduction (never below zero). Tax is then calculated progressively: the income within the 10% band is taxed at 10%, only the next portion at 12%, and so on through each occupied bracket. The results add the tax from every occupied bracket — your highest marginal rate is never applied to all of your income.
Formula
Taxable income = Gross income − pretax adjustments − deduction (min 0). Federal tax = sum over brackets of (income within bracket × bracket rate). Effective rate = federal tax ÷ gross income × 100.
What your results mean
A single 2026 filer with $75,000 gross income, $6,000 pretax adjustments and the $16,100 standard deduction has about $52,900 of taxable income, taxed progressively across the 10%, 12% and 22% brackets — an effective rate well below the 22% marginal bracket.
Limitations: This is a simplified estimate of regular federal income tax only. See the excluded-items list below for what it deliberately does not calculate.
2026 standard deductions
| Filing status | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
| Qualifying surviving spouse | $32,200 |
2026 federal income tax brackets (single filers)
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 |
What this calculator does not include
This tool estimates only regular federal income tax. It does not calculate or account for:
- State and local income taxes
- Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes
- Self-employment tax
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Net Investment Income Tax
- Capital-gains tax rates
- Qualified-dividend tax rates
- Tax credits
- Child tax credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Itemized-deduction limitations
- Qualified business income deduction
- Special senior deductions
- Tip, overtime, or vehicle-loan-interest deductions
- Phase-outs and special eligibility rules
- Tax penalties or withholding reconciliation
Sources and methodology
Figures are drawn from official Internal Revenue Service guidance and applied using progressive, year-based data configurations.
- IRS: Federal income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- IRS: 2025 inflation adjustments and standard deductions
- IRS: Form 1040-ES estimated tax and tax rate schedules
Last reviewed and verified: July 21, 2026 · Source: Internal Revenue Service
Tax laws and retirement contribution limits may change. Verify important decisions with current IRS guidance or a qualified tax or financial professional.
Frequently asked questions
You may owe a balance at filing if too little tax was withheld from your paychecks or estimated payments during the year, or if you had income without withholding such as freelance, investment, or capital-gains income. Life changes like a raise, a second job, a bonus, or losing a credit can also push your actual liability above what was withheld. This calculator estimates your total federal income tax for the year; comparing it with your year-to-date withholding gives a rough sense of whether you are on track. Adjust your Form W-4 or make estimated payments to avoid a surprise, and confirm specifics with the IRS or a tax professional.
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income (your top bracket). Your effective rate is total federal tax divided by gross income, which is usually much lower because earlier income is taxed at lower rates. See our guide on how federal income tax brackets work for worked examples.
No. It estimates only regular federal income tax. State and local income taxes are not included.
No. Credits such as the child tax credit and Earned Income Tax Credit are not applied, so your actual tax could be lower than this estimate.
Taxable income is your gross income minus eligible pretax adjustments (like 401(k) or HSA contributions) and your standard or itemized deduction, so it is lower than gross income.
No. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends have separate tax rates that this simplified estimator does not calculate.
No. It is a planning estimate of regular federal income tax and is not a tax return, tax software, or tax advice. Verify with the IRS or a qualified professional.
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Financial disclaimer: Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not professional financial, tax, legal or investment advice. Figures may not reflect your exact situation. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.