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taxintermediate9 min

Tax Calculator

Estimate your federal income tax, state tax, and FICA. Calculate your effective tax rate, marginal rate, and take-home pay with our free tax calculator.

Enter Your Details
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Annual Take-Home Pay

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Full Results

Monthly Take-Home

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Total Tax Liability

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Federal Income Tax

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State Income Tax

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FICA (Social Security + Medicare)

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Effective Tax Rate

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Marginal Tax Rate

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Taxable Income

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Where Your Income Goes
Tax Breakdown by Type

What is Tax Calculator?

A tax calculator estimates how much you'll owe in federal and state income taxes based on your income, filing status, and deductions.

How It Works

Enter your income, filing status, pre-tax deductions, and state. The calculator applies current tax brackets and rates to estimate your total tax liability and take-home pay.

The Formula

Taxable Income = Gross Income - Pre-tax Deductions - Standard/Itemized Deduction Tax = Sum of bracket rates applied to each bracket portion Take-home = Gross Income - Total Tax

The calculator applies 2025-2026 federal tax brackets to your taxable income, adds FICA (7.65% for employees), and state tax at your specified rate.

Examples

Example: $85,000 salary, single filer

Single filer with $8,500 in 401k contributions

After $8,500 pre-tax deductions and the $14,600 standard deduction, your taxable income is $61,900. You pay $9,334 in federal tax, $3,405 in state tax, and $5,853 in FICA. Take-home: $66,409 ($5,534/month). Your effective tax rate is 21.9%.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓Estimate taxes before filing
  • ✓Understand your true tax burden
  • ✓Plan withholding and estimated payments
  • ✓Compare filing strategies

Cons

  • ✗Simplified tax calculation
  • ✗Doesn't include all credits
  • ✗State tax is estimated
  • ✗Doesn't handle complex situations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • !Confusing marginal and effective rates
  • !Forgetting FICA taxes
  • !Not adjusting withholding after life changes
  • !Missing eligible deductions and credits

Expert Tips

  • ★Max out pre-tax retirement accounts
  • ★Harvest tax losses in down markets
  • ★Consider Roth conversions in low-income years
  • ★Review withholding after major life changes

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Your marginal tax rate is the rate on your last dollar earned (your highest bracket). Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by your total income—a more accurate measure of your overall tax burden.
How can I lower my tax bill?
Contribute to retirement accounts (401k, IRA, HSA), use the standard or itemized deduction (whichever is higher), claim all eligible credits (Child Tax Credit, EITC), and consider tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts.
What is the standard deduction for 2025?
For 2025: Single $15,000, Married Filing Jointly $30,000, Head of Household $22,500. These amounts increase with inflation each year. Most people are better off taking the standard deduction rather than itemizing.
How does pre-tax 401k reduce my taxes?
Contributions to a traditional 401(k) reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. If you're in the 22% bracket, every $1,000 you contribute saves you $220 in federal taxes. You'll pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement.

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