Calculate your estimated federal income tax based on your filing status and taxable income.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Estimated Federal Income Tax
$0.00
Understanding Your Federal Income Tax Calculation
This calculator provides an estimate of your federal income tax liability based on the U.S. progressive tax system. The U.S. federal income tax is calculated using a system of tax brackets, where different portions of your income are taxed at progressively higher rates. The amount of tax you owe depends on your taxable income and your filing status.
Key Concepts:
Gross Income: Your total income from all sources before any deductions.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): Gross income minus certain "above-the-line" deductions (e.g., student loan interest, IRA contributions).
Taxable Income: AGI minus either the standard deduction or itemized deductions. This is the amount your tax is directly calculated on.
Filing Status: Your marital status and family situation (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er)). This affects the tax brackets and standard deduction amounts.
Tax Brackets: Ranges of income, each taxed at a specific rate. Higher income levels are taxed at higher rates.
Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: You can reduce your taxable income by taking either the standard deduction (a fixed amount set by the IRS) or itemizing your deductions (listing specific deductible expenses like mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable donations, etc.). You choose whichever results in a larger deduction.
How the Calculation Works:
To estimate your tax, we use the tax brackets for a recent tax year (e.g., 2023). The calculator applies your taxable income to the appropriate brackets based on your filing status. Here's a simplified example:
Example: Single Filer
Let's say your Taxable Income is $60,000 and your Filing Status is Single. For the 2023 tax year, the brackets for Single filers might look something like this:
Tax Rate
Taxable Income Bracket
Tax Calculation
10%
$0 to $11,000
10% of income in this bracket
12%
$11,001 to $44,725
12% of income in this bracket
22%
$44,726 to $95,375
22% of income in this bracket
Calculation for $60,000 taxable income (Single):
10% Bracket: 10% of $11,000 = $1,100
12% Bracket: 12% of ($44,725 – $11,000) = 12% of $33,725 = $4,047
22% Bracket: 22% of ($60,000 – $44,725) = 22% of $15,275 = $3,360.50
Total Estimated Tax: $1,100 + $4,047 + $3,360.50 = $8,507.50
Note: The actual tax brackets and rates may vary slightly by tax year and should be confirmed with official IRS sources. This calculator uses simplified, illustrative brackets for demonstration.
Disclaimer:
This calculator is for informational and estimation purposes only. It does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. For accurate tax filing and advice, please consult with a qualified tax professional or refer to official IRS publications.
function calculateTax() {
var taxableIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("taxableIncome").value);
var filingStatus = document.getElementById("filingStatus").value;
var tax = 0;
// Use 2023 tax brackets for illustration. These can change annually.
// Source: IRS publications and reputable financial sites.
var brackets = {};
// Brackets for Single Filers (2023)
brackets.single = [
{ limit: 11000, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 44725, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 95375, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 182100, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 231250, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 578125, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
// Brackets for Married Filing Jointly (2023)
brackets.married_filing_jointly = [
{ limit: 22000, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 89450, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 190750, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 364200, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 462500, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 693750, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
// Brackets for Married Filing Separately (2023)
brackets.married_filing_separately = [
{ limit: 11000, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 44725, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 95375, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 182100, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 231250, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 346875, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
// Brackets for Head of Household (2023)
brackets.head_of_household = [
{ limit: 15700, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 59850, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 95350, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 182100, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 231250, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 578125, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
// Placeholder for Qualifying Widow(er) – typically same as MFJ
// brackets.qualifying_widow = brackets.married_filing_jointly;
var selectedBrackets = brackets[filingStatus];
// Input validation
if (isNaN(taxableIncome) || taxableIncome < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid taxable income amount.");
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "$–.–";
return;
}
if (!selectedBrackets) {
alert("Invalid filing status selected.");
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "$–.–";
return;
}
var incomeToTax = taxableIncome;
var previousLimit = 0;
for (var i = 0; i previousLimit) {
taxableAmountInBracket = Math.min(incomeToTax, bracket.limit) – previousLimit;
tax += taxableAmountInBracket * bracket.rate;
} else {
break; // Income is fully accounted for
}
previousLimit = bracket.limit;
if (incomeToTax <= bracket.limit) {
break; // All income has been taxed
}
}
// Format the result
var formattedTax = tax.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "$" + formattedTax;
}