Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your 2026 federal income tax instantly. Enter your gross income and deductions to see your tax bracket, effective rate, and take-home pay.

Annual Gross Income

Deductions

Filing Status

On a $70,000.00 salary with $14,600.00 in deductions, you'll pay $7,241.00 in federal tax and take home $62,759.00 per year.

Taxable Income$55,400.00

Tax Bracket22%

Effective Tax Rate10.3%

Federal Income Tax

$7,241.00

10.3% effective rate

After-Tax Income

$62,759.00

How to Use This Calculator

Follow these steps for an accurate estimate. Results are based on 2026 tax rates and are for informational purposes only.

Enter your gross annual income. This is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are removed. If you are paid hourly, multiply your hourly rate by your annual hours worked.

Enter your deductions. The 2026 standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filing jointly, and $21,900 for head of household. Only enter a higher amount if you plan to itemize your deductions.

Select your filing status. This affects both which deduction amount applies and where each tax bracket begins. Married filing jointly has nearly double the threshold of single filers.

Click "Calculate" to see your results. The calculator applies progressive federal brackets to your taxable income — only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate, not all of your income.

Read the results panel. "Federal Tax" is what you owe. "After-Tax Income" is what you keep. The effective rate is the true percentage of your gross income that goes to federal tax — it is almost always lower than your marginal bracket.

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Important: These are estimates based on federal tax law. Your actual tax may differ based on additional deductions, tax credits, AMT, state rules, and other factors. Always verify with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

Real-World Examples

Example: Software Engineer Earning $95,000

Sarah is a single filer in Texas earning $95,000/year with the standard deduction.

Gross Income$95,000

Standard Deduction-$14,600

Taxable Income$80,400

Federal Tax (22% bracket)$12,622

Effective Tax Rate13.3%

After-Tax Income$82,378

Takeaway: Even though Sarah is in the 22% bracket, her effective rate is only 13.3% because lower portions of income are taxed at 10% and 12%.

Understanding Federal Income Tax

The United States uses a progressive income tax system, meaning that higher levels of income are taxed at higher rates. Your gross income minus deductions equals your taxable income, which is then applied against the tax brackets. The effective tax rate is typically lower than your marginal bracket rate because lower portions of income are taxed at lower rates.

2026 Tax Brackets (Single Filer)

For 2026, single filers face seven brackets: 10% up to $11,600; 12% from $11,601 to $47,150; 22% from $47,151 to $100,525; 24% from $100,526 to $191,950; 32% from $191,951 to $243,725; 35% from $243,726 to $609,350; and 37% above $609,350.

Tips to Reduce Your Income Tax

Maximize 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500), claim all eligible deductions and credits, use Health Savings Accounts (HSA), consider timing income recognition, and evaluate whether itemizing deductions exceeds the standard deduction for your filing status.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I make $75,000 a year, how much federal income tax do I pay in 2026?

On a $75,000 annual salary, a single filer claiming the 2026 standard deduction of $14,600 has a taxable income of $60,400. Applying the progressive federal brackets, the total federal income tax comes to approximately $8,442, which is an effective rate of 11.3%. That leaves you with about $66,558 after federal tax. State income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare are separate and not included in this figure.

If I earn $15 per hour working 40 hours a week, what's my take-home pay after taxes?

Full-time work at $15 per hour generates a gross annual income of $31,200. After the standard deduction, taxable income is $16,600, resulting in approximately $1,796 in federal income tax. Social Security takes 6.2% and Medicare takes 1.45% of your total gross income. In a state with no income tax, your estimated annual take-home pay is around $26,800, or roughly $1,031 per biweekly paycheck.

How much tax do I pay on $100,000 income in California vs Texas?

Federal tax on a $100,000 income for a single filer is approximately $12,622. In Texas, which has no state income tax, your take-home is about $79,088. In California, the state income tax at that income level adds roughly $9,300 to your tax bill, reducing your take-home to around $69,788. The difference between a high-tax and no-tax state at this income level is more than $9,000 per year.

Can I reduce my income taxes by contributing to a 401(k)?

Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions are made pre-tax, which directly reduces your taxable income. In 2026, the contribution limit is $23,500. If you earn $80,000 and contribute $10,000 to your 401(k), your taxable income drops to $70,000. For someone in the 22% bracket, that saves more than $2,200 in federal taxes for the year.

What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets for single filers?

For 2026, single filers pay 10% on income up to $11,600, then 12% from $11,601 to $47,150, 22% from $47,151 to $100,525, 24% from $100,526 to $191,950, 32% from $191,951 to $243,725, 35% from $243,726 to $609,350, and 37% on income above $609,350. These are marginal rates, meaning only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate.

If I make $500 a week, how much will I take home after taxes?

A weekly income of $500 equals $26,000 per year. After the standard deduction, taxable income is roughly $11,400, resulting in about $1,140 in federal tax. Social Security and Medicare together take another $1,989. In a state with no income tax, your annual take-home is approximately $22,871, which works out to about $440 per week.

What is the standard deduction for 2026?

The 2026 standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $21,900 for head of household. If your itemized deductions — such as mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and state and local taxes — exceed these amounts, itemizing will lower your tax bill further.

How is federal income tax calculated?

Start with your total gross income from all sources. Subtract your deductions — either the standard deduction or the sum of your itemized deductions, whichever is higher — to arrive at your taxable income. Apply the progressive federal tax brackets to that taxable income. Finally, subtract any tax credits you qualify for. The result is your federal income tax liability for the year.