Free calculators, step-by-step filing guides, and professional tax filing services - updated for OBBBA changes
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act brought major changes. Here’s what affects your return:
$16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ - up from prior years. Plus $4,000 bonus for seniors 65+.
State & local tax deduction cap quadrupled from $10K to $40K. Big relief for high-tax states.
Overtime hours (beyond 40/week) are exempt from federal income tax for W-2 employees.
Cash and credit card tips for service workers are now exempt from federal income tax.
New deduction for auto loan interest on domestically manufactured vehicles.
Extra $4,000 deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older on top of standard deduction.
How each dollar of your income is taxed (Single filer)
Standard deduction of $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (MFJ) is subtracted first. Full bracket calculator →
Click any state for full details - Green = low/no tax, Orange = moderate, Red = high
National average top rate: ~5.0% | 9 states have no income tax | View all state details ↓
20+ free tools updated for all 2026 tax law changes including OBBBA provisions
Full federal tax calculation with deductions, credits, and bracket breakdown.
Net pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes for all 50 states.
Tax-free overtime pay under OBBBA. See how much you save beyond 40 hours.
Tax-free tips for service workers. Estimate savings as a server or bartender.
Extra $4,000 deduction for taxpayers 65+. See your total tax savings.
Compare employee vs contractor take-home pay with SE tax analysis.
New $40,000 SALT cap. Calculate savings in high-tax states like NY and CA.
SE tax, QBI deduction, and quarterly estimated payments for 1099 workers.
New auto loan interest deduction for domestically manufactured vehicles.
Short-term and long-term capital gains on stocks, crypto, and real estate.
Federal estate tax with 2026 exemption amounts for estate planning.
Analyze tax impact of converting traditional IRA/401(k) to Roth.
Health Savings Account triple-tax advantage: deduction, growth, withdrawals.
Estimate your Affordable Care Act premium tax credit by income and household.
Find your marginal rate and see how each dollar is taxed across brackets.
Calculate quarterly estimated payments and avoid underpayment penalties.
Check if you owe Alternative Minimum Tax and identify AMT triggers.
Calculate your marriage penalty or bonus. Compare filing jointly vs separately.
Estimate tax savings from harvesting investment losses to offset capital gains.
Calculate your tax deduction for charitable contributions and donations.
Income tax guides, brackets, and rates for all 50 states + DC
🟢 No income tax 🟠 Flat/moderate rate 🔴 High tax (8%+)
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Everything you need to understand your 2026 taxes
The United States uses a progressive tax system, meaning your income is taxed at increasing rates as it rises through different brackets. For the 2026 tax year, there are seven federal income tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Each bracket applies only to the income within that range, not your entire income.
For a single filer in 2026, the first $11,925 of taxable income is taxed at 10%. Income between $11,925 and $48,475 is taxed at 12%. The 22% rate applies from $48,475 to $103,350, the 24% rate from $103,350 to $197,300, the 32% rate from $197,300 to $250,525, the 35% rate from $250,525 to $626,350, and the 37% rate on anything above $626,350. Married couples filing jointly have wider brackets, with the 10% bracket covering income up to $23,850 and the 12% bracket extending to $96,950.
Before your income is taxed, you subtract either the standard deduction or your itemized deductions. The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), these amounts reflect the latest adjustments. If you are 65 or older, you receive an additional $4,000 senior bonus deduction on top of the standard deduction. Head of household filers receive a standard deduction of $24,150.
Your effective tax rate, which is the total tax you pay divided by your gross income, is almost always lower than your marginal bracket. For example, a single filer earning $80,000 has a marginal rate of 22% but an effective rate of roughly 13.5% after the standard deduction. The OBBBA also introduces several new exemptions: overtime pay earned beyond 40 hours per week is exempt from federal income tax, and tips received by service workers are similarly exempt. These provisions can save eligible workers thousands of dollars annually.
Many taxpayers leave money on the table by not claiming deductions they qualify for. Here are five commonly missed opportunities that could reduce your tax bill significantly:
Staying on top of key dates helps you avoid penalties and find the deductions you qualify for. Here is the 2026 tax calendar:
The tax treatment for employees and self-employed workers differs substantially. W-2 employees have federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld from each paycheck. Their employer pays the other half of FICA taxes (another 7.65%), so the employee never sees that cost.
Self-employed individuals must pay both halves of FICA, resulting in a 15.3% self-employment tax on the first $176,100 of net earnings, plus 2.9% Medicare tax on amounts above that (and an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on earnings over $200,000 for single filers). However, self-employed workers can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of SE tax as an above-the-line deduction, effectively reducing the burden.
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction is another significant advantage for self-employed filers. Under current law, eligible self-employed individuals can deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income, which can dramatically reduce effective tax rates. Combined with deductions for business expenses, home office, health insurance premiums, and retirement contributions (Solo 401k allows up to $69,000 in 2026), self-employment can be tax-efficient when structured properly.
Use our W-2 vs 1099 calculator to compare take-home pay side-by-side, or our Self-Employment Tax Calculator to see your exact SE tax liability.
Quick answers to common 2026 tax questions
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Tax calculations are estimates for educational and informational purposes only. This site does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Data sourced from IRS publications and official state tax authority websites.
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