Income Tax Calculator

Calculate your federal, state, and local tax liability with our comprehensive tax calculator. Estimate your tax refund or how much you'll owe based on your income, deductions, and filing status.

Quick Tax Facts

  • Federal income tax uses a progressive tax system with seven brackets
  • State income tax rates vary by location - some states have no income tax
  • Standard deduction for 2023: $13,850 (single), $27,700 (married filing jointly)
  • Social Security tax rate is 6.2% on earnings up to $160,200 (2023)

Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your annual tax burden and see how different income levels, deductions, and filing status affect your tax liability.

Personal Information

Income

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$0 $250,000 $500,000
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Deductions & Credits

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Tax Summary

Total Income: $50,000.00
Adjustments: $0.00
Taxable Income: $36,150.00
Federal Tax: $4,041.50
State Tax: $1,750.00
Local Tax: $500.00
FICA Taxes: $3,825.00
Self-Employment Tax: $0.00
Tax Credits: $0.00
Total Tax: $10,116.50
After-Tax Income: $39,883.50
Effective Tax Rate: 20.23%

How Income Tax Works

Understanding how income taxes work can help you make better financial decisions and potentially save money.

Federal Income Tax Brackets (2023)

Tax Rate Single Married Filing Jointly Head of Household
10% $0 - $11,000 $0 - $22,000 $0 - $15,700
12% $11,001 - $44,725 $22,001 - $89,450 $15,701 - $59,850
22% $44,726 - $95,375 $89,451 - $190,750 $59,851 - $95,350
24% $95,376 - $182,100 $190,751 - $364,200 $95,351 - $182,100
32% $182,101 - $231,250 $364,201 - $462,500 $182,101 - $231,250
35% $231,251 - $578,125 $462,501 - $693,750 $231,251 - $578,100
37% Over $578,125 Over $693,750 Over $578,100

Progressive Tax System

The U.S. federal income tax uses a progressive tax system, meaning that different portions of your income are taxed at increasing rates as your income rises.

For example, if you're single with $50,000 in taxable income:

  • First $11,000 is taxed at 10%
  • Income from $11,001 to $44,725 is taxed at 12%
  • Income from $44,726 to $50,000 is taxed at 22%

Standard vs. Itemized Deductions

You can either take the standard deduction or itemize deductions, whichever gives you the greater tax benefit:

  • Standard deduction (2023): $13,850 for single filers, $27,700 for married filing jointly
  • Itemized deductions: Include mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses (over 7.5% of AGI), state and local taxes (up to $10,000)

About 90% of taxpayers now take the standard deduction since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 nearly doubled the standard deduction amount.

FICA Taxes

In addition to income tax, you also pay:

  • Social Security tax: 6.2% on first $160,200 (2023)
  • Medicare tax: 1.45% on all earnings
  • Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on income over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married)

State & Local Taxes

State income tax rates vary widely:

  • 9 states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming
  • California has the highest top rate at 13.3%
  • Some cities (NYC, Philadelphia) have local income taxes

Tax Credits

Unlike deductions, tax credits directly reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar. Common credits include:

  • Child Tax Credit
  • Earned Income Tax Credit
  • American Opportunity Credit (education)
  • Retirement Savings Contributions Credit

Tax Planning Tips

Smart tax planning strategies to help you minimize your tax liability and keep more of your hard-earned money.

Max Out Retirement Accounts

Contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs, and other qualified retirement plans can reduce your taxable income while building your nest egg.

  • Traditional 401(k) limit: $22,500 in 2023
  • IRA contribution limit: $6,500 in 2023
  • Additional catch-up contributions for those 50+

Charitable Giving Strategies

Charitable donations can reduce your taxable income if you itemize deductions.

  • Consider "bunching" donations in alternate years
  • Donate appreciated securities to avoid capital gains
  • Set up a donor-advised fund for greater flexibility

HSA Contributions

Health Savings Accounts offer triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

  • 2023 contribution limit: $3,850 (individual) or $7,750 (family)
  • Additional $1,000 catch-up for those 55+
  • Can serve as an additional retirement account

Business Expense Deductions

If you're self-employed or own a business, track and deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses.

  • Home office deduction
  • Business travel and vehicle expenses
  • Health insurance premiums
  • Retirement plan contributions

Education Tax Benefits

Take advantage of education-related tax benefits if you or your dependents are in school.

  • American Opportunity Credit (up to $2,500)
  • Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000)
  • Student loan interest deduction (up to $2,500)
  • 529 plan tax-free growth for education expenses

Tax Loss Harvesting

Offset capital gains with capital losses to reduce your tax liability on investment returns.

  • Can deduct up to $3,000 in net capital losses against ordinary income
  • Carry forward unused losses to future tax years
  • Be mindful of wash sale rules (30-day waiting period)

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about income taxes and our calculator.

While our calculator provides a good estimate of your tax liability based on the information you provide, it's not a substitute for professional tax advice. The actual tax you owe may differ due to specific circumstances, additional deductions or credits, or changes in tax laws. For precise tax calculations, consult with a tax professional or use official IRS tax preparation software.

Your marginal tax rate is the rate you pay on your last dollar of income, or the rate applied to your highest tax bracket. For example, if you're in the 22% tax bracket, your marginal rate is 22%.

Your effective tax rate is the average rate you pay on your total taxable income. Since the U.S. has a progressive tax system, your effective rate is typically lower than your marginal rate. For example, someone in the 22% bracket might have an effective federal tax rate of only 15% overall.

Tax withholdings are amounts your employer takes from your paycheck and sends to the government toward your annual tax obligation. The amount withheld is based on:

  • Information provided on your W-4 form
  • Your income level
  • Filing status
  • Number of dependents

If too much tax is withheld, you'll receive a refund when you file your tax return. If too little is withheld, you'll owe additional tax. You can adjust your withholdings by submitting a new W-4 form to your employer.

For most individual taxpayers in the United States:

  • Federal income tax returns are typically due on April 15th each year
  • If April 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day
  • You can request a six-month extension to file (but not to pay) using Form 4868
  • State tax deadlines often align with the federal deadline, but can vary by state

Even with an extension to file, any taxes owed are still due by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

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