Calculate Your Federal Income Tax
Taxable Income
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Federal Tax
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FICA Tax
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Effective Rate
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| Bracket | Rate | Taxable In Bracket | Tax |
|---|
2026 Federal Tax Brackets
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was made permanent by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law in 2025. Brackets below reflect 2026 inflation adjustments per IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $24,800 – $100,800 | $17,700 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 | $67,450 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $211,400 – $403,550 | $105,700 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $403,550 – $512,450 | $201,750 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 | $256,200 – $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,600+ | $768,700+ | $640,600+ |
Standard Deduction (2026)
| Filing Status | Standard Deduction | Additional (65+ or blind) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 | +$2,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $32,200 | +$1,600 per qualifying spouse |
| Head of Household | $24,150 | +$2,000 |
Standard vs Itemized: When to Itemize
Itemize when your total deductions exceed the standard deduction. Common itemized deductions:
- Mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt
- State and local taxes (SALT) capped at $10,000
- Charitable contributions up to 60% of AGI
- Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI
Most taxpayers (~90%) use the standard deduction after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased it significantly.
FICA Taxes (Social Security + Medicare)
FICA taxes are separate from income tax and are not reduced by deductions:
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2025). Your employer pays another 6.2%.
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages (no cap). Plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wages over $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (MFJ).
- Total FICA: 7.65% on most wages (up to SS wage base)
Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer portions (15.3% total) but can deduct the employer portion.
Tax Reduction Strategies
- Max out 401(k): $23,500 contribution reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar ($34,750 if you're 60–63 under SECURE 2.0). At 24% bracket, that saves $5,640–$8,340 in tax.
- Contribute to HSA: $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) in 2025. Triple tax advantage: deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals for medical.
- Traditional IRA: $7,000 deduction ($8,000 if 50+) if eligible. Income limits apply if you have a workplace plan.
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: Sell losing investments to offset capital gains, reducing taxable income by up to $3,000/year beyond gains.
- Charitable Giving: Donate appreciated stock to avoid capital gains tax completely while claiming the full market value deduction.
- Child Tax Credit: $2,000 per qualifying child under 17. This is a credit (reduces tax directly), not a deduction.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
For Single filers: 10% ($0-$12,400), 12% ($12,400-$50,400), 22% ($50,400-$105,700), 24% ($105,700-$201,775), 32% ($201,775-$256,225), 35% ($256,225-$640,600), 37% ($640,600+). MFJ brackets are roughly double. The TCJA rates were made permanent by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
Marginal rate is the tax rate on your last dollar of income (highest bracket). Effective rate is total tax / total income. Example: $100K income doesn't mean 22% on everything — it's 10% on the first $11,925, 12% on the next $36,550, and 22% on the remainder. Effective rate would be ~15%.
Take whichever is larger. About 90% of Americans use the standard deduction. You might itemize if you have large mortgage interest, SALT taxes (capped at $10K), medical expenses, or charitable donations that together exceed the standard deduction ($16,100 Single / $32,200 MFJ for 2026).
Max out pre-tax retirement accounts (401k, Traditional IRA, HSA). Claim all eligible deductions and credits. Harvest tax losses. If self-employed, deduct business expenses. Consider Roth conversions in low-income years. Donate appreciated stock instead of cash.
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) funds Social Security and Medicare. It's a flat tax on wages: 6.2% for SS (up to the wage base) + 1.45% Medicare (no cap). Unlike income tax, FICA cannot be reduced by deductions, credits, or filing status. Self-employed pay both halves (15.3%).
$2,000 per qualifying child under 17. Up to $1,700 is refundable (you get it even if you owe no tax). Phases out for Single filers above $200,000 and MFJ above $400,000. This is a credit, not a deduction — it reduces your tax dollar-for-dollar.