Tax Calculator

This tax calculator estimates your total federal and state tax burden for 2026. It accounts for income tax, FICA payroll taxes, and state-specific tax rules — everything that comes out of your paycheck before you see it.

Federal income tax uses progressive brackets (10%–37%). You subtract the standard deduction first — $15,000 for single filers — then each bracket applies only to the income within that range. Your effective tax rate (total tax ÷ gross income) is always lower than your marginal rate (the bracket your last dollar falls into). Most people overestimate their effective rate.

FICA adds another 7.65% on top: 6.2% for Social Security (capped at $176,100 in earnings) and 1.45% for Medicare (no cap). Earn over $200,000 and there's an extra 0.9% Medicare surcharge. Unlike income tax, FICA is calculated on gross pay before deductions — 401(k) contributions don't reduce it.

State tax is where things get interesting. We cover five states with very different approaches: Illinois charges a flat 4.95% with a small personal exemption. Texas and Florida charge 0% income tax (they fund government through property and sales taxes instead). California runs progressive brackets from 1% to 13.3%. New York does 4% to 10.9% progressive, and NYC residents pay an additional city tax. The difference between the highest and lowest state tax on the same salary can be $8,000+ per year.

Pre-tax deductions are your friend. 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions reduce your taxable income for federal and state income tax — but not for FICA. At a 22% marginal rate, every $1,000 in 401(k) contributions saves you $220 in federal tax plus whatever your state charges.