Tax Bracket Calculator
See your federal income tax by bracket and effective tax rate.
Results update as you type.
This calculator is for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates, fees and terms vary by lender. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making borrowing decisions.
How it works
The US federal income tax is a progressive system, meaning different portions of your income are taxed at different rates rather than all income being taxed at one flat rate. In 2024, there are seven brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Only the income that falls within each bracket's range is taxed at that rate. For example, a single filer earning $80,000 pays 10% on the first $11,600, 12% on income from $11,601 to $47,150, and 22% on income from $47,151 to $80,000 — not 22% on all $80,000. This is a common misunderstanding that causes people to fear bracket creep when they overestimate how much a raise will cost them in taxes. The marginal rate is the rate that applies to your next earned dollar — useful for evaluating deductions, retirement contributions, and investment decisions. The effective rate is your total tax divided by total income — the actual average rate you pay. For most middle-income earners, the effective rate is substantially lower than the marginal rate. This tax bracket calculator uses 2024 federal tax brackets and applies the standard deduction automatically ($14,600 single, $29,200 married, $21,900 head of household). In this tax bracket calculator, pre-tax deductions like 401k contributions reduce taxable income before the bracket calculation.
Progressive: each bracket rate applies only to income within that bracket's range
Apply each bracket rate only to the income within that range. For 2024 single filers: 10% on $0–$11,600; 12% on $11,601–$47,150; 22% on $47,151–$100,525; 24% on $100,526–$191,950; 32% on $191,951–$243,725; 35% on $243,726–$609,350; 37% above $609,350. After subtracting pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction, apply brackets sequentially. Sum the tax owed in each bracket for the total. Divide by gross income for effective rate.
Source:U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter annual gross income and filing status.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust pre-tax deductions (401k, hsa) if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Estimated federal tax updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
The marginal tax rate is the rate that applies to your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reach. The effective tax rate is the percentage of your total income you actually pay in tax. Because the US uses progressive brackets where only a portion of income is taxed at each rate, the effective rate is always lower than the marginal rate for most people. If you earn $100,000 single and your marginal rate is 22%, your effective rate is roughly 17% because the first dollars are taxed at 10% and 12%.
Does getting a raise push all my income into a higher bracket?
No — this is one of the most widespread tax misconceptions. Moving into a higher bracket only means the portion of your income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. The income below that threshold continues to be taxed at its original rate. A raise from $47,000 to $50,000 for a single filer moves $2,850 into the 22% bracket, costing an extra $627 in tax — but the $47,000 below the threshold continues to be taxed at 10% and 12%. You always keep more money after a raise.
What is the standard deduction for 2024?
For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filing jointly, and $21,900 for heads of household. These amounts are indexed to inflation and rise slightly each year. You subtract the standard deduction from your adjusted gross income to arrive at taxable income. If your itemized deductions — mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable contributions — exceed the standard deduction, you can itemize instead, but the majority of taxpayers use the standard deduction since its near-doubling in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
What is not included in this tax calculator?
This calculator estimates federal income tax on gross income. It does not include state income taxes, which vary from zero (Florida, Texas, Nevada) to over 13% (California). It also does not calculate self-employment tax (15.3%), the 3.8% net investment income tax, alternative minimum tax (AMT), or the impact of credits — Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit — which directly reduce tax owed. For a complete tax picture, use IRS Free File or a professional tax preparer.
How can I reduce my federal income tax?
The most impactful legal strategies are maximizing pre-tax retirement contributions (401k contributions reduce taxable income up to $23,000 in 2024), contributing to an HSA ($4,150 single or $8,300 family in 2024), and harvesting investment losses to offset gains. If you itemize, maximizing qualified charitable contributions and mortgage interest can reduce taxable income. Self-employed individuals can deduct health insurance premiums and home office expenses. Timing income and deductions between tax years is another effective planning strategy.