Income Tax Calculator

Estimate how much you may owe in federal and state income taxes

The federal personal income tax, administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), applies to most working Americans. Each year, taxpayers must file a return reporting their income and calculating whether they owe additional taxes or are due a refund.

U.S. federal income taxes are progressive, with rates ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on income and filing status.

Our income tax calculator will give you an estimate of the potential amount owed on your federal and state tax return, based on the 2025 tax brackets. You can also compare the amount owed by Americans living in other states with the same income level.

How this income tax calculator works

This income tax calculator estimates how much you may owe — or be refunded — on your 2025 federal and state income tax return, based on:

• Your income
• Filing status
• State of residence
• Current 2025 federal tax brackets

You can also compare estimated tax outcomes for individuals earning the same income in different states.

This calculator provides estimates only and should not be considered tax advice.

When is tax season for Tax Year 2025?

Tax Year 2025 covers income earned between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

Returns for Tax Year 2025 are typically filed in early 2026. The IRS generally begins accepting returns in late January, with a standard federal filing deadline of April 15, 2026, unless extended due to weekends or federal holidays.

For business owners and employers, W-2 and most 1099 forms must be issued by January 31, 2026.

What is income tax?

Income taxes are those that are collected by the government from individuals and businesses on the local, state (excluding Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming), and federal levels. These taxes are imposed on income generated from the aforementioned to determine their tax obligations.

Normally applied to the percentage of an income, the rate can vary based on the type of income, amount, and taxpayer’s filing status.

The federal government uses income taxes as one of several different taxes to fund public services. There are two primary types of income taxes:

• Individual Income Tax – Also known as personal income tax, individuals pay based on their salary, wages, or other taxable earnings. Most people will not pay the full amount due to deductions, tax credits, and exemptions.
• Business or Corporate Income Tax – Small businesses, corporations, self-employers, partnerships, and other business entities that are for-profit are subject to income taxes. These typically apply to income after subtracting capital and operating expenses from the revenue.

How to reduce taxable income

Reducing taxable income can lower the amount of taxes owed. Common strategies include contributing to tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans
Plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s allow pretax contributions that reduce taxable income. Contribution limits vary by year and age.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on income and coverage by an employer-sponsored plan.

Contribution limits and eligibility rules change periodically. Taxpayers should confirm current limits for Tax Year 2025.

What is federal withholding?
Money withheld from your paycheck and sent to the IRS on your behalf.

How much do self-employed individuals pay in taxes?
Self-employed workers generally pay 15.3% in self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare, in addition to income tax.

Can I get a tax extension?
Yes. Filing an extension gives you more time to file paperwork, not more time to pay taxes owed. Extensions must be requested before the filing deadline.

What is tax filing status?

Your filing status determines which tax rates and standard deductions apply to your return.

Common filing statuses include:

• Single
• Married filing jointly
• Married filing separately
• Head of household
• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child

Filing status is based on marital status, household support, and dependents, and can significantly affect tax liability.

2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Taxable Income)

Tax Rate	Single	Married Filing Jointly	Head of Household	Married Filing Separately
10%	$0-$11,925	$0-$23,850	$0-$17,000	$0-$11,925
12%	$11,926-$48,475	$23,851-$96,950	$17,001-$64,850	$11,926-$48,475
22%	$48,476-$103,350	$96,951-$206,700	$64,851-$103,350	$103-351-$197,300
24%	$103,351-$197,300	$206,701-$394,600	$103,351-$197,300	$103,351-$197,300
32%	$197,301-$250,525	$394,601-$501,050	$197,301-$250,500	$197,301-$250,525
35%	$250,526-$626,350	$501,051-$751,600	$250,501-$626,350	$250,526-$375,800
37%	$626,351 and up	$751,601 and up	$626,351 and up	$375,801 and up

• Tax brackets shown apply to taxable income for Tax Year 2025 and are filed in 2026. This table reflects federal income tax brackets only.

Tax filing status options

Single

A single filer is unmarried, divorced, a registered domestic partner, or legally separated according to state law. Heads of households or widowers cannot fall under the “single” category. These filers will have lower income limits for most exemptions.

Married (jointly filing or surviving spouse)

Individuals married at the end of the tax year can choose to file with their spouse, or file separately if they should choose. Under a married filing status, couples can record their respective incomes, exemptions, and deductions on the same tax return. It often provides a bigger refund or lower tax obligation.

Joint filing works best if one spouse has a significantly higher income. Otherwise, should both spouses work, and the income and itemized deductions are large and unequal, it can result in disparity and be more advantageous to file alone. Should you choose this option, you will use the single filing status.

Head of Household

A single or unmarried taxpayer who pays for a minimum of 50% of the costs of supporting their household and stays with family members for whom they provide support for at least 6 months out of the year.

This includes paying more than half of the total household bills, rent or mortgage, property taxes, and other household expenses.

Because of this, a head of household benefits from a lower tax rate.

Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child

The year in which a spouse passes, the surviving spouse can normally use a joint filing status. In the following two years after, the surviving partner can file as a qualifying surviving spouse. They cannot continue claiming an exemption for the deceased yet claiming the standard deduction for a jointly filing married couple is allowed.

The tax bracket and income ranges for a surviving spouse are the same as those for married filing jointly.

Frequently asked questions

Do any states not have income taxes? If so, which ones?

Yes, there are 9 states where you are not required to pay income tax. They are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Why was no federal income tax withheld from my paycheck?

Possible reasons include low earnings, tax-exempt status, incorrect withholding information, or working in a state without income tax.

What is federal income tax liability?

 The total amount of federal income tax owed for the year after credits and deductions.

What is pre-tax income?

Income earned before taxes are withheld or applied.

What is federal withholding?

Money withheld from your paycheck and sent to the IRS on your behalf.

How much do self-employed individuals pay in taxes?

Self-employed workers generally pay 15.3% in self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare, in addition to income tax.

How much will I pay in taxes?

Use our free tax calculator at the top of the page to find out!

How much should I set aside for taxes?

A general rule is to set aside 30-35% of your total income for taxes if you’re working on a 1099 employment basis.

Independent contractors are required to pay taxes 4 times a year, once per quarter.

Can I get a tax extension?

Yes. Filing an extension gives you more time to file paperwork, not more time to pay taxes owed. Extensions must be requested before the filing deadline.