How to Use the Income Tax Calculator
Step 1: Choose Your Filing Status
Pick from Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, or Qualifying Surviving Spouse. Your filing status has a big effect on your standard deduction amount and tax brackets.
Step 2: Type in Your Income
Begin with your W-2 salary (Box 1). To add more sources of income, choose "Advanced Mode."
- Income from self-employment (1099-NEC, Schedule C)
- Income from dividends and interest
- Gains on capital (both short-term and long-term)
- Benefits from Social Security
Step 3: Add Contributions to Retirement
Enter contributions to your 401(k), Traditional IRA, or HSA accounts before taxes. These lower your taxable income by the same amount.
Step 4: Look Over Your Deductions
The calculator employs the standard deduction by default. If you have a lot of mortgage interest, state taxes, or charitable donations, switch to itemized deductions in Advanced Mode.
Step 5: Add Dependents
Add kids under 17 for the Child Tax Credit ($2,000 apiece) and other dependents for the $500 credit.
Step 6: See Your Results
You can see your total tax, effective rate, marginal rate, bracket breakdown, and take-home pay right now. Change the year comparison to see how the changes in 2025 will affect you.
Tax Brackets for Federal Income in 2025
The US has a progressive tax system with seven different tax rates. This implies that only the money you make in each bracket is taxed at that rate, not all of your income.
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0-$11,925 | $0-$23,850 | $0-$17,000 |
| 12% | $11,926-$48,475 | $23,851-$96,950 | $17,001-$64,850 |
| 22% | $48,476-$103,350 | $96,951-$206,700 | $64,851-$103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351-$197,300 | $206,701-$394,600 | $103,351-$197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301-$250,525 | $394,601-$501,050 | $197,301-$250,500 |
| 35% | $250,526-$626,350 | $501,051-$751,600 | $250,501-$626,350 |
| 37% | Above $626,350 | Over $751,600 | Over $626,350 |
Note: These brackets are for taxable income, which is gross income minus deductions.
Amounts for Standard Deduction in 2025
The standard deduction lowers your taxable income before tax rates are applied. Most people who pay taxes accept the standard deduction instead of listing their expenses.
Standard Deductions for 2025
More for 65 or Blind
Note: For each qualifying condition (65+, blind), add this amount. Couples who are married can get up to four more deductions together.
How to figure out your federal income tax
Step 1: Figure out your gross income
Add up all of your income sources, such as earnings, self-employment, interest, dividends, capital gains, retirement distributions, Social Security, and so on.
Step 2: Take Away Adjustments (Above-the-Line Deductions)
To lower your gross income, take out your 401(k) or IRA contributions, your HSA contributions, your student loan interest (up to $2,500), half of your self-employment tax, and other changes. This is how you get your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
Step 3: Take Away Deductions
From AGI, take either the standard deduction or the itemized deductions, whichever is bigger. This is your taxable income.
Step 4: Use Tax Brackets
Use progressive brackets to figure out how much tax you owe. The tax rate for each part of your income is based on its bracket.
Step 5: Take Away Tax Credits
Lower your tax bill by using credits like the Child Tax Credit, education credits, and the Earned Income Credit. Credits lower your tax bill by the same amount as your deductions.
For example, a single filer in 2025 would make $75,000.
Understanding FICA Taxes (Medicare and Social Security)
You pay FICA taxes on your wages in addition to income tax. These taxes go toward Social Security and Medicare.
Social Security
Rate: 6.2% for the employee and 6.2% for the employer, for a total of 12.4%
Wage Base for 2025: $176,100 (no taxes on wages over this)
Maximum Tax: $10,918.20
Medicare
Total rate: 1.45% for the employee and 1.45% for the employer, or 2.9%
Extra Medicare: +0.9% on wages exceeding $200,000 for single people or $250,000 for married people
No Wage Cap: This applies to all wages.
Note for self-employed people: They pay both halves (15.3% total), although they can deduct half as an adjustment to their income.
Important Tax Credits for 2025
Tax credits are better than deductions because they lower your tax payment by the same amount.
Tax Credit for Children
Up to $2,000 for each child under the age of 17. It goes away when your AGI reaches $200,000 (for a single person) or $400,000 (for a married couple). You can get back up to $1,700.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
A credit that low- to moderate-income workers can get back. You can get a maximum credit of $8,046 if you have three or more kids. Phases out at higher income levels.
Tax Credit for American Opportunity
Up to $2,500 for each student for the first four years of college. Refundable 40%. Ends at $80,000 to $90,000 (single).
Credit for Saving
Low- to moderate-income savers can get 10% to 50% of their retirement contributions back, up to $2,000. The most you can get is $1,000 if you're single and $2,000 if you're married.
Ways to Lower Your Tax Bill
Make the most of your retirement contributions
- 401(k): Up to $23,500 in 2025, plus $7,500 if you're 50 or older
- IRA: $7,000 max, plus $1,000 for people over 50
- HSA: $4,300 for one person or $8,550 for a family
Make the Most of Deductions
- Compare standard deductions to itemized deductions
- Give to charity in groups every other year
- Pay your state taxes ahead of time if you itemize
- Use the SALT cap of $40,000 (2025)
Tip: Use our calculator to make "what if" models. Try putting an extra $1,000 into your 401(k) and see how much less you have to pay in taxes!
Important tax changes from 2024 to 2025
Every year, tax rules change because of inflation and new laws. The main differences are:
| Item | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Deduction (Single) | $14,600 | $15,000 | +$400 |
| Standard Deduction (MFJ) | $29,200 | $30,000 | +$800 |
| 22% Bracket Starts (Single) | $47,150 | $48,475 | +$1,325 |
| 401(k) Limit | $23,000 | $23,500 | +$500 |
| SALT Cap | $10,000 | $40,000 | +$30,000 |
| SS Wage Base | $168,600 | $176,100 | +$7,500 |
- 401(k) Limit: $23,000 in 2024, $23,500 in 2025, and $500 more in 2026.
- SALT Cap: $10,000 in 2024, $40,000 in 2025, and $30,000 more in 2026.
- SS Wage Base: $168,600 in 2024, $176,100 in 2025, a $7,500 increase.
Note: Use our comparison tool to discover how these changes may affect your own taxes.
Examples of Tax Calculation in the Real World
These examples show how different income levels and scenarios affect how much tax you owe in 2025.
Example 1: A single person making $55,000
Profile: Single, no kids, standard deduction, and $5,000 put into a 401(k)
Tax Calculation (2025):
The 401(k) contribution saved around $1,100 in federal taxes by keeping the person out of the 22% bracket.
Example 2: A couple with kids who make $120,000
Profile: Married couple with two kids under 17, making $120,000 a year and putting $15,000 into their 401(k)
Tax Calculation (2025):
Example 3: $85,000 a Year as a Self-Employed Freelancer
Profile: Single, works for himself, makes $85,000 a year in net business income, puts $6,000 into a SEP-IRA, and $4,300 into an HSA.
Tax Breakdown:
This example explains why self-employed people have to pay more taxes: they have to pay both the employee and employer parts of FICA taxes.
5 Mistakes That Make Your Tax Bill Higher
Not Taking Above-the-Line Deductions
A lot of people don't take into account deductions for student loan interest, HSA payments, or teacher expenditures that lower AGI, even if they don't itemize.
Not Changing Your W-4 After Life Changes
Getting married, getting divorced, having a new child, or taking on a second career can all impact your taxes. To avoid a hefty payment or too much withholding that keeps your money from earning interest, update your W-4.
Picking the Wrong Filing Status
If you're a single parent, you could be able to get Head of Household, which has bigger brackets and deductions than Single. Couples who are married should look at both joint and separate filing, especially if one partner has a lot of medical bills or student loan obligations.
Not Taking Advantage of Retirement Contribution Benefits
If you're in the 22% tax rate, putting $10,000 into a 401(k) will save you $2,200. Roth contributions don't lower your current taxes, but they do grow tax-free.
Not Seeing Refundable Credits
You can still get a refund even if you don't owe any taxes. For example, refundable credits like the EITC and the refundable part of the AOTC can do this. Don't think that filing won't help you if you don't have a lot of money.
Questions that are often asked
What is the best way to figure out how much federal income tax I owe?
To figure out your federal income tax, follow these five steps: 1) Add up all of your taxable income, such as earnings, interest, dividends, and capital gains. 2) To find AGI, take away things like contributions to a 401(k) and interest on student loans. 3) Take away either the basic deduction or the itemized deductions. 4) Use the progressive tax brackets to figure out how much tax you owe. 5) Take away any tax credits you can get.
What are the federal tax brackets for 2025?
The seven federal tax brackets for 2025 are: 10% ($0-$11,925 for single filers), 12% ($11,926-$48,475), 22% ($48,476-$103,350), 24% ($103,351-$197,300), 32% ($197,301-$250,525), 35% ($250,526-$626,350), and 37% (above $626,350). The limits for married couples filing jointly are about twice as high as this.
How much is the standard deduction for 2025?
The standard deduction for 2025 is $15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for married couples filing together, $15,750 for married couples filing separately, and $23,625 for heads of household. People who are 65 or older get an extra $2,000 for each qualifying single person or $1,600 for each qualifying married person.
What's the difference between the marginal tax rate and the effective tax rate?
The percentage that applies to your last dollar of income is your marginal tax rate. This is the highest bracket you achieve. Your effective tax rate is the total amount of taxes you pay divided by your total income. This is what you really pay. For instance, someone in the 22% tax bracket might only pay 12% to 15% of their income in taxes.
What is the amount of the Child Tax Credit for 2025?
If you have a child under 17 who qualifies, you can get $2,200 in Child Tax Credit in 2025. The Additional Child Tax Credit might give you back up to $1,700. For solo filers, the credit starts to go away at $200,000 AGI, and for married couples filing jointly, it starts to go away at $400,000.
How can I figure out how much money I'll get back in taxes?
Use this calculator to figure out how much you owe in taxes, then compare that number to your total withholdings and expected payments to get an idea of how much you may expect to get back. You will get a refund if you paid more than you owe. The average refund for returns in 2024 was about $3,100.
What is the self-employment tax and how do you figure it out?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net self-employment income. This includes 12.4% for Social Security (on income up to $176,100 in 2025) and 2.9% for Medicare. If you make more than $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint), you have to pay an extra 0.9% Medicare tax. You can lower your income by half of the self-employment tax.
Should I list my expenses or take the standard deduction?
Take the bigger one. If your mortgage interest, state and local taxes (up to $10,000), charitable donations, and medical expenditures (more than 7.5% of AGI) add up to more than the standard deduction, list them out. The standard deduction is higher for most people, thus about 87% of taxpayers use it.
Which tax credits can help me pay less in taxes?
Some of the most important tax credits are the kid Tax Credit ($2,200 per kid), the Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $8,046), the American Opportunity Credit ($2,500 per student), the Lifetime Learning Credit ($2,000), the Child and Dependent Care Credit (up to $2,100), and a number of energy credits. Credits lower the amount of taxes you owe, while deductions lower the amount of income you have to pay taxes on.
How do my 401(k) contributions change my taxes?
If you make traditional 401(k) contributions, they lower your taxable income by the same amount in the year you make the contribution. You can give up to $23,500 in 2025 ($31,000 if you are 50 or older, or $34,750 if you are 60 to 63). Someone in the 22% tax bracket who gives $10,000 will save about $2,200 in federal taxes.
What papers do I need to figure out how much I owe in taxes?
Get your W-2s from your jobs, 1099s for additional income (freelance work, interest, dividends, retirement), records of deductible expenses (mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations), tax returns from the previous year, and Social Security numbers for all of your dependents.
What day do federal taxes have to be paid in 2026?
Federal tax returns for the year 2025 are due on April 15, 2026. Fill out Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension until October 15, 2026 if you need more time. Keep in mind that an extension to file does not mean an extension to pay. The anticipated taxes are still due on April 15.
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Disclaimer: This income tax calculator is solely meant to be used for information and education. It gives you estimations based on the information you give it and the tax laws that are in effect right now. Your actual tax bill may be different. This calculator is not tax advice. Always talk to a trained tax professional or utilize official IRS resources to file your taxes.
Please note that tax rates and brackets can change. Based on IRS publications and laws that went into effect in January 2025, this calculator is up to current for the tax years 2024 and 2025.
Last updated: January 4, 2026