Calculate your federal income tax, effective rate & marginal rate for 2024 & 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How is federal income tax calculated?
Federal income tax uses progressive brackets. Each portion of your taxable income is taxed at a different rate. For 2024 single filers: the first $11,600 is taxed at 10%, the next at 12%, and so on up to 37%.
What is the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar earned (highest bracket). Your effective rate is total tax ÷ total income — always lower due to the progressive system.
What are the 2025 federal tax brackets?
Single: 10% to $11,925, 12% to $48,475, 22% to $103,350, 24% to $197,300, 32% to $250,525, 35% to $626,350, 37% above. Married filing jointly brackets are double.
Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
Take whichever is higher. 2025 standard deduction: $15,000 (single) / $30,000 (MFJ). Itemize if your mortgage interest, state taxes, and charitable giving exceed these.
How does filing status affect my taxes?
Filing status determines your brackets and standard deduction. MFJ has double single brackets. Head of household gets wider brackets than single. MFS uses single brackets with special rules.
What changed between 2024 and 2025 tax brackets?
All thresholds increased ~2.8% for inflation. Standard deduction rose from $14,600 to $15,000 (single) and $29,200 to $30,000 (MFJ).
Does this calculator include state taxes?
No, this covers federal income tax only. State taxes vary widely — some states (TX, FL, WA) have no income tax, while others have flat or progressive rates.
What is the additional Medicare tax threshold?
An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ). This is separate from federal income tax.