Income Tax Calculator: Your 2026 Federal and State Tax

What this calculator adds up

Most people pay three income-based taxes on wages. Federal income tax is figured on taxable income — wages minus pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household in 2026) — through progressive brackets from 10% to 37%, then reduced by credits. Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500 of wages) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000) apply to wages from the first dollar. And 41 states plus D.C. tax wages with their own rules.

For a single filer earning $75,000 in a state without income tax, that totals about $13,408 for 2026 — an effective rate of 17.9%. The same income in California totals about $16,348 once state tax is added. Change the state field to see your own figure.

The 2025–2028 deductions for tips and overtime

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July 2025, created two temporary federal deductions for tax years 2025 through 2028. Workers in tipped occupations can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips. Workers who earn overtime under federal law can deduct the overtime premium — the 'half' of time-and-a-half — up to $12,500, or $25,000 on a joint return. Both caps shrink by $100 for every $1,000 of modified adjusted gross income above $150,000 ($300,000 joint).

Both are deductions, not exemptions: they lower federal taxable income only. Tips and overtime are still subject to Social Security, Medicare and state income tax, and paychecks are still withheld normally — the benefit arrives when you file. You don't need to itemize to claim them. Enter your qualified amounts above and the calculator applies the caps and phase-outs automatically.

The Child Tax Credit in 2026

Parents can claim up to $2,200 per child under 17. The credit first reduces federal income tax; if it's larger than your tax, up to $1,700 per child can be paid as a refund through the Additional Child Tax Credit, limited to 15% of earned income above $2,500. The credit phases out by $50 for each $1,000 of income above $200,000 ($400,000 joint). A married couple earning $120,000 with two children owes about $10,040 in federal income tax before the credit and about $5,640 after it.

Every tax tool, in one place

This is the broadest of our tax calculators. For a per-paycheck view, use the paycheck calculator or your state's paycheck page. To see how income fills the brackets, use the tax bracket calculator. To see whether you're due a refund, the tax refund estimator compares your withholding against the tax computed here. And for purchases rather than paychecks, the sales tax calculators cover every state's rates.

Common mistakes this calculator helps you avoid

• ✕Treating 'no tax on tips' or 'no tax on overtime' as fully tax-free. They're capped federal deductions; FICA and state tax still apply.
• ✕Counting the full overtime pay as deductible. Only the premium portion — the 'half' — qualifies.
• ✕Forgetting FICA. For most earners under six figures, Social Security and Medicare exceed federal income tax.
• ✕Assuming the Child Tax Credit is fully refundable. Only up to $1,700 per child is paid out if it exceeds your tax.
• ✕Using your bracket as your tax rate. Your effective rate is far lower.

Key terms

Qualified tips

Voluntary tips in an eligible tipped occupation, reported on a W-2 or 1099; deductible up to $25,000 for 2025–2028.

Qualified overtime

The overtime premium required by federal law — half the regular rate per overtime hour; deductible up to $12,500 ($25,000 joint) for 2025–2028.

MAGI

Modified adjusted gross income — the income figure used to phase out deductions and credits.

Refundable credit

A credit that can be paid out as a refund even when it exceeds your tax; the ACTC is the refundable part of the Child Tax Credit.

Frequently asked questions