What this calculator shows you
- Federal Tax Estimate
- Calculate federal income tax
- Tax Bracket Analysis
- See your marginal tax rate
- Deduction Comparison
- Standard vs. itemized deductions
- Effective Rate
- Calculate your true tax rate
Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rate
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income. Most people pay much less than their marginal rate suggests.
Tax Brackets Explained
The US uses progressive tax brackets. You do not pay your highest rate on all income—only on income within each bracket. This is why a raise never results in less take-home pay.
Questions people ask
Will a raise put me in a higher tax bracket?
Only your income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A raise always increases your take-home pay—you never lose money by earning more.
Standard or itemized deductions?
Take the larger of the two. Most taxpayers now take standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married for 2026) since it increased significantly. Itemize if your deductions exceed this.
Education only, not personalized financial, tax or investment advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter; real returns vary and losses happen.