US Income Tax Estimator
Estimate US federal income tax with a bracket-by-bracket breakdown.
TL;DR — Income Tax Estimator (US): An income tax estimator applies the United States progressive federal tax brackets to an annual income, computing tax owed in each bracket and total federal tax. Cal44 uses 2024 tax brackets and standard deduction defaults. It does not include FICA, state tax or itemised deductions — treat the result as a rough estimate, not a tax filing.
What is the Income Tax Estimator (US)?
An income tax estimator applies the United States progressive federal tax brackets to an annual income, computing tax owed in each bracket and total federal tax. Cal44 uses 2024 tax brackets and standard deduction defaults. It does not include FICA, state tax or itemised deductions — treat the result as a rough estimate, not a tax filing.
How to use the Income Tax Estimator (US)
- Enter your annual gross income.
- Choose filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household).
- Optionally apply the standard deduction.
- Read the bracket-by-bracket breakdown, total federal tax, and effective tax rate.
Formula
Total tax = Σ ( bracket portion of taxable income × bracket marginal rate )
Effective rate = total tax ÷ gross income · Marginal rate = the bracket rate at your top dollar of income · 2024 single brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%.
Worked example
Single filer, $80,000 gross, standard deduction $14,600 → taxable $65,400. Tax = 10% × $11,600 + 12% × ($47,150 − $11,600) + 22% × ($65,400 − $47,150) = $1,160 + $4,266 + $4,015 = $9,441. Effective rate ≈ 11.8%.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as my actual tax bill?
No. Cal44 estimates federal income tax only. Your total tax bill includes FICA (Social Security + Medicare), state and local income tax, and is reduced by credits and itemised deductions.
What is a marginal vs effective tax rate?
Marginal is the rate on your next dollar (the top bracket you reach). Effective is total tax ÷ gross income — always lower than marginal in a progressive system.
How does the standard deduction work?
It subtracts a fixed amount from gross income before tax is computed. 2024: $14,600 single, $29,200 married filing jointly, $21,900 head of household.
Does the calculator include FICA?
No. FICA is 7.65% of wages (Social Security 6.2% up to the wage base + Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% additional Medicare above $200,000).
Are state income taxes included?
No. State rates vary from 0% (TX, FL, WA, NV, AK, SD, WY, TN, NH) to 13.3% top marginal (CA). Add state tax separately.