2026 Federal Tax Bracket Calculator
Estimate federal income tax using progressive bracket logic.
Key takeaways
- Your *tax bracket* is marginal — only the next dollars you earn are taxed at that rate.
- Your *effective* rate is usually lower than your top bracket.
- This estimates **federal income tax only** (no state tax, credits, or special rates).
- Built for the **2026** bracket structure and progressive banding.
Calculator
See step-by-step breakdown
How this calculator works
Inputs we ask for
- Filing status
- Taxable income
What we calculate
- Tax owed across brackets
- Marginal bracket
- Effective tax rate
What this calculator does NOT do
- Credits (CTC, EITC, etc.)
- Itemized deductions
- Capital gains special rates
Assumptions + rounding
We apply progressive bracket logic and round to the nearest dollar.
How this calculator works
Calculates tax progressively through bracket bands and reports marginal and effective rates.
FAQ
What’s the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Marginal is the rate on your next dollar of taxable income. Effective is your total federal income tax divided by your taxable income.
Does this include the standard deduction?
No — enter **taxable income** (after deductions). If you only know gross income, use the Taxable Income Calculator once it’s added.
Does this include state tax or payroll tax?
No. This is **federal income tax** only.
Are capital gains taxed differently?
Yes — long-term capital gains can have separate rates. This tool treats all taxable income as ordinary income.
Why is my effective rate lower than my bracket?
Because only the top slice of income is taxed at the top rate — lower slices are taxed at lower rates.
Is this an exact return calculation?
No. It’s an estimate and does not include credits, special taxes, or every edge case.
What about married filing separately?
Add MFS as an option if you want full coverage — the logic is the same, the thresholds differ.
Can I use this for planning?
Yes for quick planning and rough comparisons, but use official software or a tax pro for filing.
Related calculators
Related guides
More resources
These pages explain the rules, assumptions, and constants used in the calculator.