Use this income tax calculator to estimate how much of your annual income goes toward federal, state, and payroll taxes.
Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2025-2026 Federal and State taxes.
What Is an Income Tax Calculator?
An income tax calculator estimates how much of your annual income goes toward federal, state, and payroll taxes. It shows how much you keep after taxes and provides a breakdown of where your tax dollars go.
Instead of manually working through tax tables, deductions, and rates, this calculator pulls everything together in one place. You enter your income, filing status, state, and deductions, and the calculator estimates your total tax bill and take-home pay.
The results are estimates, not a filing document, but they provide a reliable snapshot of your tax situation based on current projections.
What This Income Tax Calculator Estimates
This calculator estimates your total tax liability for the selected tax year, including federal income tax, FICA taxes, and state income tax where applicable.
It also calculates your estimated take-home pay and effective tax rate, helping you see how much of your income is paid in taxes overall. Advanced inputs such as retirement contributions and tax credits allow for more refined estimates.
The calculator supports both standard and itemized deductions and adjusts results based on your filing status and state.
How This Income Tax Calculator Works
The calculation starts with your gross annual income. From there, any pre-tax adjustments such as 401(k) or IRA contributions are subtracted to estimate your adjusted gross income.
Next, deductions are applied. If you choose the standard deduction, the calculator automatically applies the projected amount based on your filing status and tax year. If you choose itemized deductions, the calculator uses the amount you enter.
Federal income tax is then calculated using progressive tax brackets, meaning different portions of income are taxed at different rates. Payroll taxes, including Social Security and Medicare, are calculated separately under FICA rules.
State income tax is calculated based on your selected state. States with no income tax are excluded, while flat and progressive tax states are calculated using simplified but realistic rules.
Tax credits are applied last, reducing the total federal tax owed. The calculator then subtracts all taxes from gross income to estimate your annual take-home pay.
Income Tax Formula Used by the Calculator
The calculator follows these core steps:
Gross Income − Pre-Tax Adjustments = Adjusted Gross Income
Adjusted Gross Income − Deductions = Taxable Income
Federal Tax + FICA Taxes + State Tax = Total Taxes
Gross Income − Total Taxes = Take-Home Pay
Effective Tax Rate = Total Taxes ÷ Gross Income
All values update automatically as inputs change.
Key Income Tax Terms Explained
Gross Annual Income
This is your total income before any taxes or deductions. It includes wages, bonuses, and other taxable earnings.
Filing Status
Your filing status affects tax brackets and standard deductions. Options include Single, Married Filing Jointly, and Head of Household.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction is a fixed amount that reduces taxable income. It varies by filing status and tax year and is applied automatically when selected.
Itemized Deductions
Itemized deductions allow you to enter a custom deduction total instead of using the standard deduction.
FICA Taxes
FICA includes Social Security and Medicare taxes. These are calculated separately from federal income tax and apply to most earned income.
State Income Tax
State tax depends on where you live. Some states have no income tax, while others use flat or progressive rates.
Take-Home Pay
Take-home pay is the amount left after all estimated taxes are subtracted from gross income.
Why Use an Income Tax Calculator?
An income tax calculator helps you plan ahead. It gives a clearer picture of your real earnings, helps compare job offers, and shows how deductions and credits affect your bottom line.
This Income Tax Calculator is designed for quick estimates and planning purposes. For exact filing results, always confirm numbers with official tax software or a tax professional.