Tax Calculators

Taxes are one of your largest expenses, yet most people don't fully understand how they're calculated or how different decisions affect their tax bill. Whether you're employed, self-employed, investing, or selling property, understanding your tax situation empowers you to plan more strategically. Our 2026 tax calculators break down federal brackets, capital gains rates, self-employment obligations, and state-by-state comparisons so you can see exactly what you owe—and identify opportunities to reduce your tax burden legally.

Tax Bracket Calculator

Calculate your federal income tax for 2026 based on income and filing status. See your effective tax rate (actual percentage paid) vs. marginal tax rate (rate on next dollar earned). Understand how bonuses and raises affect your total tax liability.

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Capital Gains Calculator

Calculate taxes on investment gains from selling stocks, real estate, or other assets. Compare long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, 20%) to short-term rates. Model the tax impact of holding periods and see how timing sales affects your total tax bill.

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Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Calculate self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) plus federal income tax on freelance income. See the total tax burden and understand why self-employed people need to set aside more than W-2 employees. Factor in business expenses and quarterly estimates.

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State Tax Comparison

Compare income tax, property tax, and sales tax across all 50 states. See which states have no income tax and where your total tax burden is lowest. Factor in state-specific credits and deductions when evaluating cost of living.

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Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your net take-home pay for any state with 2026 withholding tables. See federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, and local tax withholdings. Understand whether you're over-withholding or under-withholding on your paycheck.

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2026 Tax Changes

Tax brackets and deductions adjust annually for inflation. For 2026, several key changes affect planning:

Tax brackets increase slightly with inflation, allowing more income to be taxed in lower brackets before hitting higher rates. The exact increase varies by filing status. Single filers, married couples filing jointly, and heads of household all see adjustments reflecting inflation from the prior year.

The standard deduction increases, meaning more people take the standard deduction rather than itemizing. For married couples filing jointly, this increased benefit reduces the need to itemize deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, and charitable giving.

Social Security wage base increases, meaning more income is subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax on employees (or 12.4% for self-employed). This directly affects your paycheck withholding if you're approaching or exceeding the wage base.

IRA and 401(k) contribution limits increase, allowing higher tax-deferred savings. These inflation adjustments make tax-advantaged retirement accounts more valuable for high earners trying to reduce taxable income.

Capital gains rates remain unchanged: long-term capital gains are still taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income, but the income thresholds are adjusted for inflation—meaning more income can fit into lower capital gains brackets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in the 2026 tax brackets?
The 2026 tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2026, the tax brackets and standard deduction increase slightly from 2025 to reflect inflation, meaning more income falls into lower tax brackets before hitting higher rates. The exact amounts depend on filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.). Our tax bracket calculator shows your effective tax rate and marginal rate for 2026, helping you understand exactly how much of each dollar you earn goes to federal taxes.
How is capital gains tax different from ordinary income tax?
Capital gains (profits from selling investments or property) are taxed more favorably than ordinary income like wages or business profits. Long-term capital gains (assets held over 1 year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income, compared to ordinary income rates up to 37%. Short-term gains (assets held under 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income. This creates a major tax planning opportunity: timing asset sales, using tax-loss harvesting, and holding investments long-term can significantly reduce your tax bill. Our capital gains calculator shows the exact tax impact of selling investments.
What is self-employment tax and how much should I budget for it?
Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare taxes for self-employed people. Employees pay about 7.65% and their employer pays another 7.65%, but self-employed individuals pay both sides: 15.3% of net profit. For someone earning $60,000 in self-employment income, that's about $8,478 in self-employment tax alone—before income taxes. You can deduct half of self-employment tax as a business expense, which reduces your income taxes. Our self-employment tax calculator shows the total tax burden and helps you understand why many freelancers and business owners set aside 25-30% of profits for taxes.

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