Which calculator should you use first?
Pick the one that matches your question:
- "What will my check be?" Use the salary and paycheck calculator. It's the right start for a new job, a raise, or a change to your 401(k) or health plan. It handles salary or hourly pay, and you enter your own state rate.
- "What will I owe, or get back?" Use the income tax calculator. It's the right start for a return, investment gains, self-employment, or itemizing. It shows your tax bracket by bracket.
For a full check, run both in that order. The paycheck tool shows what's being withheld, and the tax tool shows what you'll actually owe. If the two figures are far apart, the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you fix your W-4. This matters most if your household has two jobs, since each employer withholds as if it were your only one.
The federal numbers that matter most in 2026
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction, single | $16,100 |
| Standard deduction, married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Standard deduction, head of household | $24,150 |
| Social Security tax | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare tax | 1.45% of all wages |
| Child tax credit | Up to $2,200 per qualifying child |
The figure that's easiest to misread is the bracket. A 22% top bracket on that $75,000 salary comes with an effective income tax rate of 10.2%, because each rate applies only to the income inside its layer. The guide to how federal income tax works explains this along with deductions, credits, and refunds.
Once you know your take-home, the budget calculator shows what it can cover. These tools give estimates, not tax advice. For a complicated return, ask an enrolled agent or CPA, or see whether you qualify for free help at an IRS-sponsored VITA site.
More tools for taxes and pay
- Your pay: the hourly to salary calculator converts between pay periods, the raise calculator shows what a raise adds after tax, and the bonus tax calculator explains why a bonus check looks small.
- Your return: the tax refund calculator estimates what you'll get back or owe.
- Working for yourself: the self-employment tax calculator covers Schedule SE and quarterly payments.
- Selling and moving: the capital gains tax calculator estimates tax on a sale, and the state income tax calculator compares states.
For a longer walk-through, read How federal income tax works.