Income Tax Calculator
Why Your Tax Bill Isn't Just "Income Times Rate"
The US federal income tax system is progressive, meaning different slices of your income are taxed at different rates — moving into a higher bracket doesn't push all of your income into that rate, only the portion that falls within it. That distinction confuses more taxpayers than almost any other part of the tax code. This calculator applies the actual 2024 bracket structure and standard deduction for your filing status, bracket by bracket, rather than approximating with a flat rate.
The Formula
Tax = Σ (Income in each bracket × that bracket's rate)
Each bracket's rate applies only to the portion of taxable income that falls within its range; income above the top of a bracket rolls into the next bracket at the next rate.
2024 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filers)
| Taxable income range | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,600 | 10% |
| $11,600 – $47,150 | 12% |
| $47,150 – $100,525 | 22% |
| $100,525 – $191,950 | 24% |
| $191,950 – $243,725 | 32% |
| $243,725 – $609,350 | 35% |
| $609,350+ | 37% |
Standard deductions for 2024: $14,600 (single or married filing separately), $29,200 (married filing jointly), $21,900 (head of household).
Worked Example
A single filer with $75,000 in gross income and no other deductions:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross income | $75,000.00 |
| Standard deduction | -$14,600.00 |
| Taxable income | $60,400.00 |
| Total tax | $8,341.00 |
| Effective tax rate | 11.12% |
Where This Matters
- Paycheck and withholding planning — estimating annual tax liability ahead of time helps you check whether your employer's withholding is on track, before a surprise bill or refund at filing time.
- Raise or bonus decisions — seeing exactly which bracket additional income would land in clarifies its real after-tax value.
- Filing status comparisons — married couples can compare filing jointly versus separately to see which produces a lower combined liability.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your annual gross income.
- Select your filing status — Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household.
- Optionally enter other deductions beyond the standard deduction.
- Select Calculate to see your taxable income, bracket-by-bracket tax, total tax, and effective and marginal rates.
Related Calculations
See the Payroll Tax Calculator for a full paycheck breakdown including FICA, or the Sales Tax Deduction Calculator if you itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction.