Tax Calculator
Estimate your federal and state tax liability for 2025. See what you'll owe or get back.
Enter your income and filing status above to estimate your taxes.
Tax Questions
Federal tax is collected by the IRS and funds national programs. State tax is collected by your state and funds local programs. Not all states have income tax (TX, FL, NV, etc.). Federal rates range 10-37%; state rates vary by state (0-13%+).
The standard deduction reduces your taxable income. For 2025, it's $14,600 (single) or $29,200 (married). Everyone gets this, even if they have no deductions. If your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction, you can itemize instead.
Tax credits directly reduce taxes owed. Child Tax Credit ($2,000/child), Earned Income Credit (EITC), American Opportunity Credit (education), and Child Care Credit are common. Credits are better than deductions because they reduce actual tax, not just taxable income.
If you owe taxes, you're under-withholding. Increase W-4 allowances to withhold more. If you get a big refund, you're over-withholding. Decrease allowances to get more pay now. Aim for $0 refund (you gave IRS an interest-free loan otherwise).
If itemizing: Mortgage interest, property/state taxes (up to $10K), charitable donations, medical expenses (>7.5% AGI), and student loan interest. Home office, business expenses, education costs, and investment losses can also qualify. Keep documentation for IRS audits.
File by April 15, 2026 (or request 6-month extension). Filing early maximizes refund speed (1-3 weeks electronically). You need all W-2s (by Jan 31) and 1099s before filing. E-file is faster and has fewer errors than paper returns.