Income Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate your federal, state, and FICA taxes. See your effective rate and take-home pay instantly.
Simplified estimate only. State tax uses effective rate approximations, not actual progressive brackets. Results do not constitute tax advice. For accurate tax filing, consult the IRS, your state tax authority, or a qualified tax professional.
Take-Home Pay
$76,521
after all taxes
Total Tax Bill
$43,479
36.2% effective rate
Marginal Rate
24%
federal marginal
Monthly Net
$6,377
per month
Federal income tax uses 2026 IRS progressive brackets. State tax applies a simplified effective rate (not actual state brackets). Does not include local taxes, AMT, tax credits, or pre-tax benefit deductions beyond standard deduction. Not tax advice. Verify with a tax professional or official IRS/state resources before making financial decisions.
How Federal Income Tax Works in 2026
The US uses a progressive tax system, meaning higher income is taxed at higher rates — but only the income above each threshold, not your total income. A common misconception is that a raise into a higher bracket causes all your income to be taxed at the higher rate. This is incorrect: only the portion of income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the new rate.
For a single filer earning $120,000 in 2026 with the standard deduction ($14,600), taxable income is $105,400. Federal tax calculation: 10% on the first $11,600 ($1,160) + 12% on $11,601–$47,150 ($4,266) + 22% on the remaining $58,250 ($12,815) = approximately $18,241 in federal income tax — an effective rate of about 15.2%.
| Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,600 | $0 – $23,200 |
| 12% | $11,601 – $47,150 | $23,201 – $94,300 |
| 22% | $47,151 – $100,525 | $94,301 – $201,050 |
| 24% | $100,526 – $191,950 | $201,051 – $383,900 |
| 32% | $191,951 – $243,725 | $383,901 – $487,450 |
| 35% | $243,726 – $609,350 | $487,451 – $731,200 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 | Over $731,200 |
FAQ
How is federal income tax calculated?
Federal income tax uses progressive brackets. In 2026, the brackets range from 10% on the first $11,600 (single) to 37% on income over $609,350. You only pay the higher rate on income above each threshold — not on your entire income.
What is the standard deduction in 2026?
The standard deduction for 2026 is approximately $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married filing jointly. This amount is subtracted from your gross income before calculating federal income tax.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar earned. Effective rate is your total tax divided by your total income — the average rate across all your income. A $150,000 earner has a 22% marginal rate but pays an effective rate closer to 18%.
Does this calculator include state taxes?
Yes — we apply each state's flat effective tax rate. Note that most states use progressive brackets similar to federal tax; we use a simplified flat rate for estimation. For precise state tax calculations, use your state's official tax calculator.
What is FICA tax?
FICA covers Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wages over $200,000 for single filers). Your employer matches the 7.65% standard FICA contribution.
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Editorial Standards & Data Methodology
Data Sources
Salary ranges on CareerOS are derived from multiple independent sources:
- •Industry compensation surveys
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •Public job posting analysis
Our Methodology
Salary figures represent base compensation only and exclude equity, bonuses, and benefits. Ranges show the 25th–75th percentile for full-time employees in each location. Data is weighted toward recent postings (last 12 months). Take-home estimates apply federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and applicable state taxes.
Editorial Process
All pages are reviewed for accuracy before publication and updated quarterly. We cross-reference data across sources before publishing any salary range.
Last Updated: May 2026
Review Cycle: Quarterly
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Actual compensation varies.