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Tax Calculators & Estimators

Estimate your US federal and state income tax bill, self-employment tax, and capital gains tax using current 2026 IRS rates and brackets. Free, accurate calculators for every tax situation.

Tax Calculators

Estimate your federal, state, and self-employment tax with precision.

Tax Calculator

Estimate your federal and state income tax bill for 2026.

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Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Calculate self-employment tax and your income tax deduction for SE earnings.

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Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Estimate capital gains tax on the sale of stocks, real estate, or other assets.

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Understanding the US Tax System

The United States has one of the world's most complex tax systems — federal income tax, state income tax, FICA taxes, self-employment taxes, capital gains taxes, and more can all apply simultaneously to a single person's income. Understanding how these layers interact is the first step to accurate planning.

The federal government uses a progressive tax system with seven brackets for 2026, ranging from 10% to 37%. The critical point most people miss: you don't pay your top bracket rate on your entire income. Each bracket only applies to income within its range. A single filer earning $100,000 pays 10% on the first $11,925, 12% on income from $11,925–$48,475, and 22% on income from $48,475–$100,000 after the standard deduction. Their effective rate is well below 22%.

Self-employed individuals face an additional layer: the 15.3% self-employment tax (covering both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare). Our self-employment tax calculator accounts for the deductible half and the impact on adjusted gross income.

2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets

Single Filers

Taxable IncomeRate
$0 – $11,92510%
$11,925 – $48,47512%
$48,475 – $103,35022%
$103,350 – $197,30024%
$197,300 – $250,52532%
$250,525 – $626,35035%
Over $626,35037%

Married Filing Jointly

Taxable IncomeRate
$0 – $23,85010%
$23,850 – $96,95012%
$96,950 – $206,70022%
$206,700 – $394,60024%
$394,600 – $501,05032%
$501,050 – $751,60035%
Over $751,60037%

Standard deduction: $15,000 (single), $30,000 (married filing jointly), $22,500 (head of household). Taxable income = gross income minus standard deduction.

Types of Federal Taxes Americans Pay

Federal Income Tax

Applies to wages, salaries, tips, freelance income, investment income, and most other forms of compensation. Uses progressive brackets from 10% to 37%. Reduced by the standard deduction and any applicable tax credits (child tax credit, earned income credit, etc.).

FICA Taxes

Social Security (6.2%, capped at $176,100) and Medicare (1.45%, no cap) fund federal safety net programs. Employees and employers each pay 7.65%. Self-employed individuals pay the full 15.3% but can deduct half of it from adjusted gross income.

Capital Gains Tax

Profits from selling investments, real estate, or other assets. Short-term gains (held less than 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term gains (held more than 1 year) have preferential rates: 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income and filing status.

State Income Tax

Varies dramatically by state. Nine states impose no income tax on wages. Illinois uses a flat 4.95%. California uses progressive brackets up to 13.3%. State tax is calculated separately from federal and uses its own deductions and brackets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reach. Your effective rate is your actual average: total tax paid divided by total income. Because the US uses progressive brackets, your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate. A single filer earning $100,000 in 2026 has a 22% marginal rate but an effective federal rate of roughly 13–14%.
Most Americans pay both. Federal income tax is owed to the IRS by virtually all workers with income above the standard deduction. State income tax depends on where you live — nine states (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee for wages, New Hampshire for wages) have no state income tax. The rest impose their own rates on top of federal tax.
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income. Its value depends on your tax rate — a $1,000 deduction saves a 22% bracket filer $220. A tax credit is a direct dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill. A $1,000 credit saves exactly $1,000 regardless of your bracket. Credits are generally more valuable, which is why the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit are so impactful for eligible families.
Self-employed individuals pay 15.3% self-employment tax (SE tax) on net earnings — this covers both the employee (7.65%) and employer (7.65%) portions of Social Security and Medicare that regular employees split with their employer. However, you can deduct half of SE tax from your gross income when calculating your income tax, partially offsetting the burden. Self-employed individuals also typically make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS.
The standard federal tax return (Form 1040) deadline is April 15 of the following year. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. You can request an automatic 6-month extension (to October 15) by filing Form 4868, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay — you must estimate and pay any tax owed by April 15 to avoid penalties.