How this 2026 tax calculator works
This calculator estimates your 2026 federal income tax — the return you will file in early 2027 — using the official numbers the IRS published in Revenue Procedure 2025-32, which already reflect the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It follows the same order as Form 1040:
- Start with total income. Subtract pre-tax contributions and adjustments to get your adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Subtract your deduction. We compare your standard deduction (including the extra amount for anyone 65 or older) with your itemized deductions and use the larger one. If anyone on the return is 65+, we also subtract the new senior deduction of up to $6,000 per person, which phases out by 6% of income above $75,000 ($150,000 if married filing jointly).
- Apply the brackets. Each slice of taxable income is taxed at its own rate — moving into a higher bracket never makes your whole income taxed at that rate.
- Subtract credits. The Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per qualifying child, reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above $200,000 ($400,000 joint). Up to $1,700 per child can be refundable.
- Compare with what you've paid. Your withholding and estimated payments minus your tax gives an estimated refund (or balance due).
2026 federal income tax brackets
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household | Married filing separately |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 | $0 – $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 | $17,701 – $67,450 | $12,401 – $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 | $67,451 – $105,700 | $50,401 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 | $105,701 – $201,750 | $105,701 – $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 | $403,551 – $512,450 | $201,751 – $256,200 | $201,776 – $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 | $512,451 – $768,700 | $256,201 – $640,600 | $256,226 – $384,350 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 | Over $384,350 |
| Filing status | Standard deduction | Extra if 65+ or blind (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 | $2,050 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 | $1,650 |
| Head of household | $24,150 | $2,050 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 | $1,650 |
What this estimate leaves out
To keep it fast, the calculator treats all income as ordinary income. It does not include self-employment tax, the lower rates on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends, the new deductions for qualified tips, overtime and car-loan interest, the Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits, the Additional Medicare Tax or the Net Investment Income Tax. It also does not calculate Virginia income tax.
If any of those apply to you — or you just want a real number instead of an estimate — book an appointment and we'll run your actual figures. Our guide to the 2026 tax law changes explains the new deductions in detail, and the year-end planning checklist shows how to lower your 2026 bill before December 31.
