Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2025 US federal income tax for single or married-filing-jointly filers, plus your effective and marginal rates. Federal only — an estimate, not tax advice.
Reviewed by the CalcCafe editorial team · Last updated 1 July 2026 · How we test our tools
Example
A single filer earning $75,000 subtracts the $15,000 standard deduction for $60,000 taxable. Tax is 10% of the first $11,925, 12% to $48,475, and 22% on the rest, totalling about $8,114 — an effective rate near 10.8% with a 22% marginal rate.
How it works
Taxable income = gross income − standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 married-joint for 2025). Tax is then computed bracket by bracket at 10/12/22/24/32/35/37%, so only the income within each band is taxed at that band's rate. The effective rate is total tax ÷ gross income; the marginal rate is the band your last dollar falls in.
Good to know
This estimator turns a single number — your gross annual income — into an approximate 2025 federal income tax bill, along with the two rates people most often confuse: the effective rate (what you actually pay across all your income) and the marginal rate (what your next dollar is taxed at). Toggle between single and married-filing-jointly and the standard deduction and bracket thresholds switch automatically.
It applies the progressive bracket system correctly: your income is sliced into bands and each band is taxed at its own rate, which is why your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate. A common misconception is that moving into a higher bracket taxes all your income at that rate — it does not; only the portion above the threshold is taxed higher.
Keep the scope in mind. This is a federal-only, standard-deduction estimate. It does not model state or local income tax, the many credits (child tax credit, EITC, education credits), itemized deductions, capital gains treatment, self-employment tax, the additional Medicare tax, or above-the-line adjustments. Those can move a real return substantially in either direction.
Use it for quick planning — comparing job offers, estimating withholding, or sanity-checking a refund — not for filing. For an accurate figure, use the IRS withholding estimator or a tax professional, and confirm the current year's thresholds, which the IRS adjusts for inflation annually.
Frequently asked questions
What tax year and brackets does this use?
It uses 2025 US federal income tax brackets and standard deductions ($15,000 single, $30,000 married filing jointly), applied progressively. It is federal only and does not include state income tax.
What's the difference between effective and marginal rate?
Your marginal rate is the bracket your last dollar of income falls into. Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your total income, which is lower because the progressive system taxes earlier dollars at lower rates.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your inputs never leave your device, and it works offline once loaded.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up and no limits.
People also ask
How much federal tax do I pay on $75,000?
As a single filer taking the 2025 standard deduction, roughly $8,100 in federal income tax, for an effective rate near 11%. Your actual figure depends on credits, other deductions, and state tax, which this estimate excludes.
Does a higher tax bracket mean all my income is taxed more?
No. Only the income above each bracket threshold is taxed at that bracket's higher rate. The dollars below stay taxed at the lower rates, which is why your effective rate is lower than your marginal rate.
Does this include state income tax?
No. This is a federal-only estimate. State income tax varies widely — some states have none, others exceed 10% — so add your state's tax separately for a full picture.
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Sources & references
These tools follow our methodology and provide educational estimates only — verify important figures with a qualified professional.