Important Disclaimer — Not Financial Advice
The results from this calculator are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not a guarantee of actual outcomes and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your specific financial situation. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more information.
The QFINHUB tax calculator estimates your federal income tax liability for the 2026 tax year, using the IRS inflation-adjusted brackets published each fall. I built it to handle the common confusion people have between marginal and effective rates, then add FICA and state estimates on top. One form, real numbers.
A tax calculator estimates federal income tax owed based on filing status, gross income, deductions, and credits, using the IRS-published tax brackets for the relevant tax year.
2026 federal tax brackets were adjusted roughly 2.7% upward from 2025 per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-XX.
Standard deduction for single filers in 2026 is $15,750. Married filing jointly gets $31,500.
FICA adds 7.65% on wages up to the Social Security wage base ($168,600 in 2026).
State income tax ranges from 0% (Texas, Florida) to over 13% (California top bracket).
Tax = Sum of (Income in each bracket × bracket rate)
U.S. federal income tax is progressive. You don't pay your top bracket rate on every dollar, only on the portion above each threshold. So a single filer earning $95,000 in 2026 pays 10% on the first bracket, 12% on the next, 22% on the next, and 24% only on income above the 24% threshold.
Every spring I help a friend or two figure out why their refund was bigger or smaller than expected. The 2026 brackets, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-XX, shift the 22% bracket ceiling up about 2.7% from 2025 to keep up with inflation. That's worth roughly $300 to $500 for a dual-income household. State taxes vary widely: California adds 1% to 13.3% on top, Texas adds zero.
You're single, earned $85,000 in 2026 wages, took the standard deduction ($15,750 for singles in 2026 per IRS), and contributed $7,000 to a traditional IRA. Your taxable income is $62,250. Federal tax comes out to about $8,711. Add 7.65% FICA ($6,503 withheld from your paychecks already) and a typical state tax of 4%, and your total burden is closer to $17,800. Effective rate: 21%. Marginal rate: 22%.
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These authoritative sources inform our calculator methodology and ensure accuracy.
Written by Qasem Mohammed
Financial tools developer and founder of QFINHUB. All calculators are built with industry-standard formulas and reviewed for accuracy. Content is for educational purposes only — always consult a qualified financial professional for decisions about your specific situation.
Last updated: August 10, 2026 ·About QFINHUB · Editorial Policy
Last reviewed by Qasem Mohammed — August 10, 2026
AI & Software Engineer, Founder & Lead Developer at QFINHUB · Editorial Policy
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Total Tax
$8,341.00
Effective Tax Rate
+11.12%
Marginal Tax Rate
+22.00%
Taxable Income
$60,400.00
After $14,600 standard deduction
After-Tax Income
$66,659.00
≈ $5,554.92/mo take-home