FAQ
Questions people ask before they trust a tax estimate.
Is FedTaxEst an official tax calculator?
No. It is an independent educational estimator. It is not affiliated with any government agency and does not prepare or file returns.
Which tax year should I pick?
Use 2025 for income earned in calendar 2025 (returns generally filed in 2026). Use 2026 for income earned in calendar 2026 (returns generally filed in 2027). The calculator labels the year on the result.
Does this include Social Security or Medicare tax?
No. Those are payroll taxes computed separately from ordinary income tax brackets. Self-employment tax is also omitted.
Can I use this as a federal tax calculator for withholding?
Not by itself. Withholding depends on Form W-4, multiple jobs, extra withholding, and credits this tool does not model. Use it to learn brackets, then confirm with official worksheets or a professional.
Why is my effective rate lower than my bracket?
Because only the last slice of taxable income uses the top rate you reach. Lower slices and the deduction pull the average down. See the rates page for a walkthrough.
How is the child credit estimated?
Roughly: up to $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025 and 2026, reduced by $50 per $1,000 (or fraction) of AGI over $400,000 joint or $200,000 other statuses. Refundable additional child tax credit and eligibility tests are not applied.
Do you store the numbers I type?
No server processes the estimate. Inputs can appear in the page URL if you share it. See the privacy page.
Why are state taxes missing?
This is a federal ordinary-income estimator only. State rules, local taxes, and city taxes are out of scope.
Still unsure how a number was built? Read methodology and sourcesor start from the income tax calculator.