Federal Income Tax Calculator
Filing status
Age 65+ / blind?
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How to use
- 1 Enter gross income — W-2 box 1 wages plus net 1099 self-employment income (don't include Roth withholdings or HSA contributions).
- 2 Choose filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, Married Filing Separately) and check Age 65+ or Blind for additional standard deduction.
- 3 Enter pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions — these reduce AGI dollar-for-dollar.
- 4 Enter itemized deductions (mortgage interest + SALT capped at $10K + charity + medical >7.5% AGI). Calculator picks larger of standard vs. itemized.
- 5 Enter qualifying children under 17 for the $2,200 Child Tax Credit. Click Calculate to see federal tax, FICA breakdown, marginal bracket, effective rate, and final take-home.
About Federal Income Tax Calculator
FAQ
Q What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?
Seven brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. Single filers: 10% up to $12,400, 22% starts at $50,400, 37% above $640,600. MFJ: 10% up to $24,800, 22% at $100,800, 37% above $768,700. Made permanent by OBBBA July 2025.
Q What is the 2026 standard deduction?
$16,100 single, $32,200 MFJ, $24,150 HoH, $16,100 MFS. Add $1,650 (single/HoH) or $1,300 (MFJ/MFS) per qualifying age 65+ or blind condition. NEW for 2025-2028: extra $6,000 senior bonus deduction phases out above $75K/$150K MAGI.
Q How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2026?
$2,200 per qualifying child under 17, up from $2,000 under TCJA. Made permanent by OBBBA. Refundable portion is $1,700. Phaseout begins at $200K single / $400K MFJ AGI, reducing $50 per $1,000 above threshold.
Q What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
$184,500 — an $8,400 increase from $176,100 in 2025, driven by 4.8% rise in the national average wage index. Maximum employee SS tax is 6.2% × $184,500 = $11,439. Self-employed pay both halves: 12.4% × $184,500 = $22,878.
Q Should I take the standard deduction or itemize in 2026?
Itemize only if (mortgage interest + SALT capped $10K + charity + medical >7.5% AGI) exceeds your standard deduction. With the 2026 standard at $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ, only ~10% of taxpayers benefit from itemizing — usually homeowners with large mortgages in high-tax states.
Q What is the OBBBA senior bonus deduction?
A new $6,000 deduction (per qualifying spouse) for taxpayers age 65+ created by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Available 2025 through 2028. Phases out 4¢ per $1 of MAGI above $75K single / $150K MFJ. Fully gone at $135K single / $210K MFJ.
Q What's the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Marginal rate is the bracket your next dollar lands in (22% if you earn $80K MFJ). Effective rate is total federal tax divided by gross income — usually much lower because of standard deduction, credits, and lower brackets stacked underneath. Use marginal for decisions, effective to know what you actually paid.
Q Do I owe additional Medicare tax in 2026?
Yes if wages exceed $200,000 single or $250,000 MFJ. Additional Medicare tax is 0.9% on wages above the threshold (employee-only — employer does NOT match). Self-employed pay it on net SE earnings. Reported on Form 8959 with your tax return.
Official resources
IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 Inflation Adjustments
Official IRS Revenue Procedure setting all 2026 federal tax thresholds, brackets, and inflation adjustments under OBBBA.
IRS — 2026 Tax Inflation Adjustments News Release
IRS official news release summarizing all OBBBA changes affecting 2026 taxes — brackets, deductions, CTC, senior bonus.
SSA — 2026 COLA Fact Sheet
Social Security Administration 2026 COLA fact sheet announcing the 2.8% benefit increase and $184,500 wage base.
IRS — Federal Income Tax Rates and Brackets
IRS official page with current and prior year tax brackets, standard deductions, and filing status thresholds.