Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your US federal income tax, effective rate, and after-tax income for 2024.
US Federal · IRS 2025 figures
Your total income before tax
IRS standard deduction for your filing status
Taxable income: $70,000
Total Tax
$16,817
Federal income tax $10,314 + payroll tax (FICA) $6,503
Effective rate 12.1% · Marginal rate 22%
Take-Home Pay
$68,184
$5,682 / month
Payroll Tax (FICA)
$6,503
SS $5,270 + Medicare $1,233
Effective Tax Rate
12.13%
Federal income tax / gross
Marginal Rate
22%
Rate on last dollar earned
Taxable Income
$70,000
After $15,000 deduction
Tax by Bracket
Where Your Money Goes
📋 Full Bracket Breakdown▾
| Rate | Taxable Amount | Tax in Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $11,925 | $1,193 |
| 12% | $36,550 | $4,386 |
| 22% | $21,525 | $4,736 |
| Total | $70,000 | $10,314 |
How to use this calculator
- Select your filing status and tax year — single or married filing jointly.
- Enter your gross annual income — total pay before any tax.
- Set your deduction — use the standard deduction (the calculator fills it in) or enter an itemized total.
- Open “More details” to add pre-tax retirement contributions, dependents (for the Child Tax Credit) and any tax already withheld.
The calculator shows federal income tax, FICA, total tax, effective and marginal rates, and your real take-home pay.
How it works
US federal income tax is progressive. Your taxable income — gross income minus deductions — is split across brackets, and each slice is taxed at that bracket’s rate. Only the income inside a bracket pays that bracket’s rate, which is why your effective rate is always lower than your top marginal rate.
On top of income tax, every worker pays FICA: Social Security at 6.2% (up to a yearly wage cap) and Medicare at 1.45%. FICA is not income tax and is easy to forget — but it is a real deduction from every paycheck, so this calculator subtracts it to show honest take-home pay.
Pre-tax retirement contributions lower taxable income (but not FICA). The Child Tax Credit reduces the tax owed directly, dollar for dollar. If you enter tax already withheld, the calculator shows whether you are due a refund or have a balance to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is US federal income tax calculated? ▾
Federal income tax is progressive — income is taxed in brackets. Your first dollars are taxed at the lowest rate, and only income above each threshold is taxed at the next rate up. So your 'marginal rate' (the rate on your last dollar) is higher than your 'effective rate' (total tax divided by total income). This calculator applies the current-year brackets for your filing status.
What is FICA and why does it matter? ▾
FICA is the payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare — 6.2% for Social Security (up to an annual wage cap) and 1.45% for Medicare, with a small surtax on high incomes. It is separate from income tax and is often overlooked. Ignoring FICA overstates take-home pay by roughly 7.65% of income, so this calculator includes it.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate? ▾
The marginal rate is the bracket your top dollar of income falls into. The effective rate is your total tax divided by your total income — always lower, because most of your income was taxed in lower brackets. For understanding a raise, the marginal rate matters; for your overall burden, the effective rate does.
Why does filing status change my tax? ▾
Single and married-filing-jointly use different bracket thresholds and different standard deductions. Married filers generally have wider brackets, so the same income can be taxed less. Selecting the correct status is essential for an accurate estimate.
Is this calculator a substitute for filing my taxes? ▾
No. It is an estimate of federal income tax and FICA based on the figures you enter. It does not handle state tax, every credit and deduction, or unusual situations. Use it for planning and take-home estimates, not as a replacement for tax preparation.