📋 US Tax Calculator

Understand federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and state taxes on your earnings

💡 Tax planning basics

Use this calculator to estimate what your annual income looks like after federal, state, and payroll taxes.

Important for Newcomers:

  • Tax rates depend on your filing status and income level
  • Pre-tax deductions can lower the amount you owe now
  • State tax rules vary significantly across the U.S.
  • This is an estimate only, not a final filing calculation

💵 Income Information & Tax Settings

💵 Income Information
$
Your total salary/wages before any deductions
Standard Deduction: Loading...
Each child = $2,000 child tax credit
🏦 Pre-Tax Deductions (Tax-Advantaged Savings)
💡 Smart Move! These contributions reduce your taxable income, meaning you pay less tax NOW while saving for the future.
$
Employer-sponsored retirement plan (Loading...)
$
Health Savings Account (Loading...)
$
Individual retirement account (Loading...)
Your Annual Take-Home Pay
$0.00
$0 per month | $0 bi-weekly
💵 Income Breakdown
Gross Income $0.00
Pre-Tax Deductions $0.00
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) $0.00
Standard Deduction $0.00
Taxable Income $0.00
🏦 Pre-Tax Savings Detail
401(k) Contribution $0.00
HSA Contribution $0.00
Traditional IRA $0.00
Tax Savings: These contributions saved you from paying taxes on this amount. The money grows tax-deferred until retirement!
🏛️ Federal Income Tax
Federal Tax (before credits) $0.00
Child Tax Credit -$0.00
Federal Tax After Credits $0.00
Effective Federal Rate: 0%
🏥 FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Social Security (6.2%) $0.00
Medicare (1.45%+) $0.00
Total FICA $0.00
What is FICA? Social Security provides retirement income when you're 62+. Medicare provides healthcare when you're 65+. Your employer also pays an equal amount!
📍 State Income Tax
State Tax $0.00
State Tax Varies: 9 states have NO income tax. Others range from 3% to 13%. This calculator uses approximate rates.
📊 Total Tax Summary
Total Taxes Paid $0.00
Effective Total Tax Rate: 0%
Net Income (Take-Home) $0.00
📅 Periodic Breakdown
Period Gross Taxes Net
📊 Visual Breakdown

🎓 Understanding US Taxes for Newcomers

💡 Tax Basics
  • Progressive Tax System: Higher income = higher tax rate (only on the extra income)
  • Federal Tax: National government taxes (10%-37%)
  • State Tax: State government taxes (0%-13%)
  • FICA: Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%)
  • Tax Year: January 1 - December 31
  • Due Date: April 15 (file by this date)
🏦 Smart Tax Strategies
  • Max 401(k): Up to $23,500/year tax-deferred
  • Use HSA: Triple tax advantage (deduct, grow, spend tax-free)
  • Traditional IRA: Additional $7,500 tax deduction
  • Claim Credits: Child, education, earned income credits
  • Adjust W-4: Control withholding to avoid big refund/bill
  • Keep Records: Save all tax documents 7 years
📋 Important for Newcomers
  • SSN Required: Social Security Number for tax filing
  • ITIN Option: Individual Taxpayer ID if no SSN
  • W-2 Form: Employer gives you this in January
  • Must File: Required if you earn above threshold
  • Tax Treaties: Some countries have agreements with US
  • Build Credits: Working = earning Social Security credits
🎯 Filing Status Guide
  • Single: Unmarried, widowed, or legally separated
    Standard deduction varies by tax year
  • Married Filing Jointly: Best for most married couples
    Standard deduction is double the single amount
  • Head of Household: Unmarried + supporting dependents
    Standard deduction is higher than single filers
📞 Tax Help Resources
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