US Salary Tax Calculator
Calculate your estimated federal income tax liability based on your gross salary and filing status. Note: This is a simplified calculator and does not include state taxes, local taxes, or specific deductions/credits.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Separately
Head of Household
Estimated Annual Federal Income Tax
$0.00Tax Breakdown:
Taxable Income:
Federal Income Tax:
Understanding US Federal Income Tax
The United States federal income tax system is progressive, meaning that higher levels of income are taxed at higher rates. This calculator provides an estimate based on the IRS tax brackets for a specific tax year (we will use 2023/2024 figures as a general example). It's crucial to remember that this is a simplified model. Actual tax liability can be significantly influenced by numerous factors:
- Deductions: Standard deductions and itemized deductions (e.g., mortgage interest, medical expenses, charitable donations) reduce your taxable income.
- Credits: Tax credits directly reduce your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. Examples include child tax credits, education credits, and energy credits.
- Other Income: Income from sources other than wages (e.g., investments, capital gains) may be taxed differently.
- State and Local Taxes: This calculator *only* estimates federal income tax. Many states and localities also impose their own income taxes.
- Filing Status: Your marital status and whether you have dependents significantly affect your tax brackets and standard deduction.
How Federal Income Tax is Calculated (Simplified)
The basic steps to estimate your federal income tax are:
- Determine Gross Income: This is your total income from all sources before any deductions.
- Calculate Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): This involves subtracting certain "above-the-line" deductions (like contributions to a traditional IRA, student loan interest, etc.) from your gross income. For simplicity in this calculator, we'll assume AGI is close to Gross Salary, as specific AGI deductions are complex.
- Determine Taxable Income: Subtract your standard deduction (or itemized deductions, if greater) from your AGI. The standard deduction amounts vary by filing status and tax year.
- Apply Tax Brackets: Your taxable income is then taxed according to the progressive federal income tax brackets. Different portions of your income fall into different tax rates.
Example Calculation Logic (Illustrative – Using 2023 Brackets)
Let's consider the tax brackets for Single Filers in 2023 as an example:
- 10% on income up to $11,000
- 12% on income between $11,001 and $44,725
- 22% on income between $44,726 and $95,375
- …and so on for higher brackets.
For a Single Filer with a Gross Salary of $75,000, assuming a Standard Deduction of $13,850 (for 2023):
- Taxable Income: $75,000 (Gross) – $13,850 (Standard Deduction) = $61,150
- Tax Calculation:
- 10% on the first $11,000 = $1,100
- 12% on the income between $11,001 and $44,725 ($33,725) = $4,047
- 22% on the income between $44,726 and $61,150 ($16,425) = $3,613.50
- Total Estimated Federal Income Tax: $1,100 + $4,047 + $3,613.50 = $8,760.50
Note: This is a simplified illustration. The actual tax calculation involves precise income thresholds and may differ based on the specific tax year and individual circumstances.