Common questions about US taxes and our calculator
← Back to CalculatorOur calculator uses the official 2025 IRS tax brackets and standard deductions. It provides accurate estimates for most taxpayers but doesn't include all possible tax credits, AMT, or complex tax situations. For precise calculations, consult a tax professional.
Yes! We include state income taxes for all 50 states plus DC. You can use the default rates we provide or customize them. We also support NYC local tax for New York residents.
We support 401(k)/403(b) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA/FSA contributions, and other common pre-tax deductions. These reduce your taxable income before taxes are calculated.
Absolutely! Enter your salary as annual, monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly. The calculator automatically converts everything to annual amounts for accurate tax calculations.
Standard deduction is a fixed amount ($15,000 single, $30,000 MFJ, $22,500 HoH for 2025). Itemized deductions include things like mortgage interest, state taxes, and charitable contributions. Use whichever is higher.
No personal information is stored on our servers. All calculations happen in your browser. We don't track, store, or share your financial data.
FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100 wage base) and Medicare (1.45% on all income, plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax on high earners). These fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
The US uses a progressive tax system. You pay 10% on the first portion of income, 12% on the next portion, and so on. You never pay your highest tax rate on all your income - only on the amount in that bracket.
This calculator doesn't include tax credits (Child Tax Credit, EITC, etc.), Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), capital gains, dividend taxes, or complex deduction phase-outs. It's designed for W-2 wage earners.
Consider a tax professional if you have: multiple income sources, rental properties, business income, significant investment income, complex deductions, or if you owe substantial taxes. This calculator is great for planning and estimates.
Yes, we use the official 2025 tax brackets, standard deductions, and contribution limits as published by the IRS. These are adjusted annually for inflation and finalized in late 2024.
Currently, calculations are session-based only. You can bookmark the page with your inputs in the URL, or take a screenshot of your results for reference.
Compare your potential itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state/local taxes up to $10k, charitable contributions, medical expenses over 7.5% of AGI) to the standard deduction ($15,000/$30,000/$22,500). Take whichever is higher.
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what you receive after all taxes and deductions. Our calculator shows both federal and total effective tax rates.
Sometimes, but usually married filing jointly results in lower taxes. Consider filing separately if: one spouse has high medical expenses, significant miscellaneous deductions, or you want to keep finances separate. Always compare both options.
If your wages exceed $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), you pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on the excess amount. This is automatically calculated in our tool when you enter higher income amounts.
Priority order: 1) 401(k) up to employer match, 2) HSA maximum if available, 3) Additional 401(k) up to limit, 4) Traditional IRA if eligible. Each dollar of pre-tax contribution saves your marginal tax rate in current taxes.
You may need quarterly estimated taxes if: you're self-employed, have significant investment income, or won't have enough tax withheld. Required if you'll owe $1,000+ and haven't paid 90% of current year tax or 100% of last year's tax.
Our calculator assumes steady pay throughout the year. For irregular income (bonuses, commissions), actual withholding may differ because payroll systems often annualize the single paycheck amount, potentially over-withholding on large payments.
Our calculator doesn't include: tax credits (Child Tax Credit, EITC), Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), capital gains, dividend taxes, state-specific credits, or complex deduction phase-outs. It's designed for standard W-2 wage earners.
Some states have agreements where you pay tax to your home state instead of work state. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania and work in New Jersey, you may pay PA tax instead of NJ tax. Check with both states' tax departments for specific rules.
Choose Traditional if you're in a high tax bracket now and expect lower taxes in retirement. Choose Roth if you're in a low bracket now or expect higher taxes later. Many experts recommend a mix of both for tax diversification.
Check out our comprehensive tax guide for detailed explanations of tax concepts.
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