Income Tax Calculator
US federal income tax, effective rate and take-home pay.
Uses 2025 federal brackets and standard deductions. Estimate only — it excludes state and local tax, credits and most adjustments. Not tax advice.
How it works
US federal income tax is progressive: each slice of income is taxed at its own rate, and only the slice above a threshold pays the higher rate. Moving into a higher bracket never reduces your take-home pay — a persistent and costly myth.
Your marginal rate is what the next dollar is taxed at. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, and it is always lower. FICA is separate: 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base plus 1.45% Medicare with no cap.
Common questions
Will a raise push me into a higher bracket and cost me money?
No. Only the portion above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate. Earning more always leaves you with more after federal income tax.
Why is my paycheck smaller than this suggests?
This covers federal income tax and FICA only. State tax, local tax, insurance premiums and retirement contributions come out too.