This tool estimates taxes for Tax Year 2018 based on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rules that replaced the 1040EZ form. It applies to single or joint filers using the standard deduction with simple income sources.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
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2018 Estimated Results
2018 Standard Deduction:
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Taxable Income:
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Total Estimated Tax (2018 Rates):
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Understanding Tax Year 2018 and the End of the 1040EZ
For decades, the Form 1040EZ served as the simplest way for taxpayers with straightforward financial situations to file their annual returns. However, significant changes implemented by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) completely overhauled the tax filing process starting with Tax Year 2018.
What Happened to the 1040EZ in 2018?
The IRS discontinued Forms 1040EZ and 1040A for Tax Year 2018 and beyond. Instead, they introduced a consolidated, "postcard-size" Form 1040. While the intention was simplification, it meant that taxpayers who previously filed a 1040EZ now had to use the standard 1040, potentially supplemented by new numbered "schedules."
Key 2018 Changes for "Simple" Filers
If you would have qualified for a 1040EZ in previous years, your 2018 filing experience was heavily influenced by two major changes:
Increased Standard Deduction: For 2018, the standard deduction nearly doubled. For Single filers, it increased to $12,000. For Married Filing Jointly, it increased to $24,000. This change meant fewer people needed to itemize deductions.
New Tax Brackets: The TCJA changed tax rates. For example, the 15% bracket was effectively replaced by a 12% bracket for many simple filers.
Single (2018): 10% on income up to $9,525; 12% over $9,525 up to $38,700.
Married Jointly (2018): 10% on income up to $19,050; 12% over $19,050 up to $77,400.
How This Calculator Works
This tool is designed to replicate the simplicity of the old 1040EZ but uses the mandatory tax laws for 2018. It assumes you are claiming the standard deduction, have no dependents, and your income is derived primarily from W-2 wages, taxable interest, and unemployment compensation. It compares your calculated 2018 tax liability against the federal tax you had withheld during the year to estimate your refund or balance due.
Note: This tool is for educational and estimation purposes concerning historical Tax Year 2018. It does not constitute official tax advice.
function calculate2018SimplifiedTax() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var filingStatus = document.getElementById('filingStatus').value;
var wages = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wagesInput').value) || 0;
var interest = parseFloat(document.getElementById('interestInput').value) || 0;
var unemployment = parseFloat(document.getElementById('unemploymentInput').value) || 0;
var withholding = parseFloat(document.getElementById('withholdingInput').value) || 0;
// 2. Determine 2018 Standard Deduction
var standardDeduction = 0;
if (filingStatus === 'single') {
standardDeduction = 12000;
} else {
standardDeduction = 24000;
}
// 3. Calculate Total Income (AGI for simple filers)
var totalIncome = wages + interest + unemployment;
// 4. Calculate Taxable Income
// Taxable income cannot be less than zero
var taxableIncome = Math.max(0, totalIncome – standardDeduction);
// 5. Calculate Tax Liability using 2018 Progressive Brackets
// Note: Brackets extend beyond typical old EZ limits, but we include the relevant lower tiers.
var calculatedTax = 0;
if (filingStatus === 'single') {
if (taxableIncome <= 9525) {
calculatedTax = taxableIncome * 0.10;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 38700) {
calculatedTax = 952.50 + ((taxableIncome – 9525) * 0.12);
} else if (taxableIncome <= 82500) {
calculatedTax = 4453.50 + ((taxableIncome – 38700) * 0.22);
} else if (taxableIncome <= 157500) {
calculatedTax = 14089.50 + ((taxableIncome – 82500) * 0.24);
} else {
// Fallback for higher incomes not typical for "EZ" style filing but necessary for complete logic
calculatedTax = 32089.50 + ((taxableIncome – 157500) * 0.32);
}
} else { // Married Filing Jointly
if (taxableIncome <= 19050) {
calculatedTax = taxableIncome * 0.10;
} else if (taxableIncome <= 77400) {
calculatedTax = 1905.00 + ((taxableIncome – 19050) * 0.12);
} else if (taxableIncome <= 165000) {
calculatedTax = 8907.00 + ((taxableIncome – 77400) * 0.22);
} else if (taxableIncome 0) {
resultHTML = "Estimated Refund: $" + finalDifference.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
resultClass = "alert alert-success font-weight-bold h4";
} else if (finalDifference < 0) {
resultHTML = "Estimated Amount You Owe: $" + Math.abs(finalDifference).toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
resultClass = "alert alert-danger font-weight-bold h4";
} else {
resultHTML = "Estimated Outcome: Break Even ($0.00)";
resultClass = "alert alert-warning font-weight-bold h4";
}
// 7. Display Results
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('standardDeductionResult').innerText = "$" + standardDeduction.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
document.getElementById('taxableIncomeResult').innerText = "$" + taxableIncome.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
document.getElementById('totalTaxResult').innerText = "$" + calculatedTax.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
var finalResultElement = document.getElementById('finalRefundOwed');
finalResultElement.className = resultClass;
finalResultElement.innerText = resultHTML;
}