Federal Income Tax & Refund Estimator 2026
Enter your 2026 wages and the federal tax withheld to see whether you are on track for a refund, with the standard deduction, child tax credit and the new tips, overtime and senior deductions.
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Box 2 of your W-2, or year-to-date on your last pay stub
Advanced optionsTax year, deductions and other settings (sensible defaults already applied)
Each with a valid Social Security number
Mortgage interest, state and local taxes, gifts to charity. The larger of this or the standard deduction is used.
Interest, freelance profit, etc.
No tax on tips: up to $25,000
The extra half in time-and-a-half; W-2 box 12 code TT
Your 2026 federal tax
Estimated refund: $880
Federal income tax $5,620 · effective rate 8.6% · top bracket 12%
Show calculationEvery step, the rule behind it and the official source
1. Taxable income
- Wages and other income (AGI)$65,000
- Standard deduction$16,100
$16,100 for your filing status · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 adjustments)
- Taxable income$48,900
2. Federal income tax
- Tax on brackets$5,620
$0–$12,400 @ 10% $12,400 × 10% = $1,240 $12,400–$50,400 @ 12% $36,500 × 12% = $4,380 2026 federal brackets · IRS: Tax year 2026 inflation adjustments
- Income tax$5,620
3. Refund
- Federal tax withheld$6,500
- Income tax$5,620
- Refund$880
Each line is rounded for display, so adding the rounded lines can differ from the total by 1.
Full breakdownTables, chart and tax-saving tips
| Adjusted gross income | $65,000 |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 |
| Tips, overtime and senior deductions | $0 |
| Taxable income | $48,900 |
| Tax before credits | $5,620 |
| Child tax credit (used against tax) | $0 |
| Refundable child tax credit | $0 |
| Federal income tax | $5,620 |
| Withheld | $6,500 |
Not included: self-employment tax, the earned income credit, education and other credits, and the extra refundable child credit rules for families with three or more children.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is my federal tax refund calculated?
Your refund is the federal tax withheld from your pay (plus any refundable credits) minus the tax you actually owe. The tax you owe is worked out on your income after the standard or itemized deduction, at the 2026 brackets, less credits such as the child tax credit.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household. People aged 65 or older get an extra $2,050 (single) or $1,650 each (married).
How much is the child tax credit in 2026?
Up to $2,200 per child under 17 with a valid Social Security number. Up to $1,700 of it per child is refundable, limited to 15% of earned income above $2,500. It shrinks by $50 for each $1,000 of income above $200,000 ($400,000 for joint filers).
Are the new tips and overtime deductions included?
Yes. Qualified tips (up to $25,000) and the premium part of qualified overtime (up to $12,500, or $25,000 for joint filers) are deducted whether or not you itemize. Both shrink above $150,000 of income ($300,000 joint).
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