Tax Bracket Calculator

The US federal income tax is progressive, meaning income is taxed in tiers called brackets, with each tier taxed at a higher rate than the last. A widespread misconception is that earning a dollar into a higher bracket taxes all your income at that higher rate. In reality, only the income that falls within each bracket's range is taxed at that bracket's rate. Earning more never reduces your take-home pay.

Before brackets apply, you subtract deductions from your gross income to reach taxable income. Most people take the standard deduction — $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly in 2026 — which reduces the income subject to tax. Pre-tax contributions to accounts like a 401(k) or HSA lower taxable income further, which is part of what makes them so valuable.

Two rates describe your tax situation. Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income — the bracket your top dollar lands in. It matters for decisions at the margin, like whether to work overtime or how much a deduction saves you. Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by your total income — the true average rate you actually pay. Because lower brackets tax your early income at lower rates, your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate, often by a wide margin.

Filing status shapes the brackets. Married filing jointly generally has wider brackets than single filers, and head of household sits in between. Choosing the correct status and understanding how the brackets apply to it is fundamental to estimating your tax accurately.

This bracket-by-bracket view is useful for planning. It shows how much of your income is taxed at each rate, how a raise or bonus will be taxed (at your marginal rate), and how pre-tax contributions reduce your bill. It can also inform decisions like Roth versus traditional retirement contributions, or timing income and deductions across years.

Keep in mind this calculator estimates federal income tax only. It doesn't include state income tax, FICA payroll taxes, tax credits, or the many situational deductions and adjustments in the tax code. Credits in particular can substantially change what you actually owe. Use the result as a clear estimate of your federal bracket math, and consult a tax professional for your complete, specific situation.