Federal Tax Calculator
Calculate your estimated federal income tax liability based on IRS tax brackets, filing status, and standard deduction allowances.
Tax Filing Details
Include all W-2 wages, bonuses, and taxable interest.
Effective Federal Rate: 11.61% • Marginal: 22%
Tax Liability Breakdown
- Gross Income
- $85,000
- Standard Deduction Reduces taxable income
- -$16,100
- Taxable Income (IRS) Amount subject to bracket rates
- $68,900
- Federal Income Tax Effective: 11.61%
- -$9,870
- Social Security (6.2%)
- -$5,270
- Medicare (1.45%+)
- -$1,233
- State Income Tax (Est.) CA estimate
- -$4,194
- Total Estimated Taxes
- -$20,567
- Estimated Take-Home Income
- $64,433
Progressive Tax Bracket Breakdown (2026)
The US operates on a graduated bracket system: you only pay higher tax rates on dollars exceeding each threshold, never on your entire income.
| Bracket Rate | Taxable Bracket Range | Your Income In Bracket | Tax Paid in Bracket | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $12,400 | $1,240 | Filled |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $38,000 | $4,560 | Filled |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $18,500 | $4,070 | Your Marginal Bracket |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $0 | $0 | Unreached |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $0 | $0 | Unreached |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $0 | $0 | Unreached |
| 37% | $640,600 – Over | $0 | $0 | Unreached |
PayCalcly provides estimates for informational purposes only. Tax calculations may vary based on individual circumstances. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS.
How It Works
Federal income tax in the United States uses progressive marginal brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%). Your gross earnings are reduced by the standard deduction (or itemized deductions) to determine your taxable income. Each bracket rate is applied only to the portion of your income within that bracket’s dollar boundaries.
Calculation Example
For a single filer in 2026 with $90,000 in gross income, subtracting the standard deduction leaves taxable income of roughly $74,250. The first bracket (10%) taxes income up to the threshold, the 12% bracket taxes the next tier, and the 22% bracket taxes the remainder. The total federal income tax is roughly $11,100, resulting in an effective federal tax rate of approximately 12.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
For 2026, the standard deduction is estimated at $15,750 for Single filers, $31,500 for Married Filing Jointly, and $23,625 for Head of Household.
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