Federal Income Tax Estimator

Enter your income and deductions for a full federal income tax estimate.

Your numbers

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Federal tax

Estimated tax
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2025 federal estimate using the standard deduction (plus any extra you enter) and ordinary brackets. Excludes credits, state tax, payroll tax, and special rates on capital gains. Your marginal rate applies only to the last dollars earned.
About this calculator

Federal Income Tax Estimator

Estimates your total federal income tax and effective rate using the 2025 standard deduction and ordinary tax brackets.

Standard deduction versus itemizing

The calculator applies the 2025 standard deduction unless your deductions above the standard amount are larger, since taxpayers generally claim whichever is greater. Your taxable income is gross income minus that deduction, and the ordinary brackets are then applied to what remains. Only federal ordinary income is modeled here, not payroll, state, or local taxes.

How marginal brackets set the total

Federal brackets are progressive, so each slice of taxable income is taxed at its own rate rather than one flat rate on the whole amount. Your effective rate, the total tax divided by gross income, is therefore lower than your top marginal bracket. This tool covers single and married filing jointly and does not model credits, the alternative minimum tax, or special income types.

How to use it

  1. Enter your gross income for the year.
  2. Choose your filing status, single or married filing jointly.
  3. Enter any deductions above the standard deduction.
  4. Review the estimated total tax and effective rate.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my effective rate below my bracket?

Progressive brackets tax only the income within each range at that range's rate, so lower slices are taxed less. The blended result is your effective rate, which sits below your top bracket.

Does this include credits or payroll tax?

No, it estimates ordinary federal income tax only and excludes credits, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and state tax. Those can meaningfully change what you actually owe.

Which years and statuses are supported?

It uses 2025 figures for single and married filing jointly filers. Other statuses and years may produce different results.

See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.

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