Tax Bracket Calculator

Heads up: Updated to the 2026 IRS bracket schedule (Rev. Proc. 2025-32, published October 2025). For actual tax filing, always cross-check the IRS publication for your filing year — state and local income tax, FICA, credits, and itemized deductions are not modeled here.

Filing Status

Single Married Joint Head of Household

Taxable Income

Federal Tax Owed

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Marginal Rate

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Effective Rate

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Take-Home Income

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Show the math

Enter values to see the worked formula.

What Your Result Means

Federal Tax Owed: The total income tax due based on the 2024 progressive bracket system. Each slice of income is taxed at its own rate — you don't pay the top rate on all your income.
Marginal Rate: The tax rate on your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reached. This is the rate that applies to any additional earnings.
Effective Rate: Your total tax divided by total taxable income, expressed as a percentage. This is your real average tax burden and is always lower than your marginal rate.
Take-Home Income: Taxable income minus federal tax. Note this does not subtract state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, or other deductions from your paycheck.

How This Calculator Works

You select a filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household) and enter your taxable income. The tool walks through the 2026 federal tax brackets progressively, applying each rate only to the income within that bracket's range, then sums the results. It reports the total tax, the marginal rate (top bracket reached), the effective rate (total tax / income), and your after-tax take-home. It does not include state taxes, FICA, credits, or deductions.

Quick Questions

What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?

Your marginal rate is the percentage on your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reach. Your effective rate is your total tax divided by total income, which is always lower because earlier dollars are taxed at lower rates. For example, a single filer earning $100,000 has a 22% marginal rate but roughly a 17% effective rate.

Is this my total tax bill?

No. This shows federal income tax only. Your actual withholding and tax liability also include Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any state or local income taxes. Credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit can further reduce your federal bill.

Should I enter gross income or taxable income?

Enter taxable income — that's gross income minus deductions (standard or itemized) and any above-the-line adjustments. For 2026, the standard deduction is $16,100 (single), $32,200 (married joint), or $24,150 (head of household).

Do these brackets change every year?

Yes. The IRS adjusts bracket thresholds annually for inflation. This calculator uses the 2026 tax year brackets. Check IRS Revenue Procedure for the latest year's thresholds.

What about capital gains tax?

Long-term capital gains are taxed at separate, lower rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) and are not included in this calculator's bracket calculation. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income and would be included in your taxable income figure.

Sources

IRS — Tax Inflation Adjustments for 2026 (official 2026 bracket thresholds)
Tax Policy Center — How Federal Tax Rates Work (progressive taxation explained)
IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax (comprehensive individual tax guide)

Method & review

MethodologyHow we calculate this Reviewed & Updated2026-04 Next review2027-04

Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas — they are not financial, tax, legal, health, or investment advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.