About the 2026 income tax calculator
Most online tax calculators hand you a single number and hide the arithmetic behind it. This one is an attempt to do better. Enter your income one line at a time, and it will project your full 2026 federal and state tax, then show every step it took to get there. It’s built for people who want to plan a year, including early retirees, the self-employed, real estate investors, anyone weighing a Roth conversion, a big capital gain, or a move to a no-tax state.
What it estimates
- Federal income tax across the 2026 brackets, with the standard deduction applied automatically
- Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends at the 0, 15, and 20 percent rates, stacked correctly on top of ordinary income
- The 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax, including rental income, with an option to exclude rents if you materially participate as a real estate professional
- Self-employment and payroll tax, including the 0.9 percent additional Medicare surtax on combined wages and self-employment income
- The Qualified Business Income (Section 199A) deduction, with the specified-service-business and wage-limit phase-ins above the 2026 thresholds
- The Child Tax Credit and its phase-out above $400,000 for joint filers
- State income tax for all 50 states and Washington, DC, using 2026 brackets
- The ACA premium subsidy cliff at 400 percent of the federal poverty level
- Standard versus itemized deductions, with live warnings the moment you cross a 2026 SALT, charitable, or medical limit
What changed for 2026
The 2026 numbers reflect the IRS inflation adjustments in Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and the changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. A few that matter most: the enhanced ACA premium credits expired at the end of 2025, so the 400 percent subsidy cliff is back as of January 1, 2026. The SALT cap rose to $40,400 and phases down at higher incomes. And a new rule trims the value of itemized deductions for filers in the top 37 percent bracket. The calculator applies all of these, not just flags them.
How to use it
Set your filing status, state, and number of children, then add an income line for each source you have and pick its type so it gets taxed correctly. Add your pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions, choose the standard deduction or itemize, and read your all-in tax at the top. Open “Showing Our Work” to see the bracket-by-bracket math, and download a plain-text summary of your result when you’re done.
Frequently asked questions
What tax year does this calculator use?
The 2026 tax year. The rates reflect the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Revenue Procedure 2025-32) and the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Does it include state income taxes?
Yes. It estimates state income tax for all 50 states and Washington, DC, using each state’s 2026 brackets and standard deduction, including States with progressive income tax brackets like California. State tax uses a simplified base, so treat it as a close estimate rather than a return.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. It is free and runs entirely in your browser. Your entries are calculated locally and are not sent anywhere.
Can I use it to file my taxes?
No. It is a planning estimate, not tax advice and not a filing tool. Confirm any figure with a CPA before acting on it.
This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only. It is not tax advice, and it does not replace a conversation with a qualified tax professional.