Pay and tax
Tax Refund Calculator
Whether you'll get a federal refund or owe for 2026, from your income, the tax withheld from your pay, your children and the new deductions.
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What your refund could grow to in savings
Federal tax for 2026 by income: your refund is what was withheld minus this
| Income | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $890 | $0 | $85 |
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $0 | $585 |
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $780 | $1,585 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $1,780 | $2,748 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $2,840 | $3,948 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $4,640 | $5,748 |
| $90,000 | $10,970 | $6,440 | $7,548 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,640 | $9,588 |
| $125,000 | $18,734 | $10,640 | $15,088 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $15,340 | $20,991 |
| $200,000 | $36,734 | $26,340 | $32,991 |
With two children under 17: federal tax for 2026 after the child tax credit
| Income | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $3,375 back | $3,375 back | $3,375 back |
| $30,000 | $2,980 back | $3,400 back | $3,400 back |
| $40,000 | $1,780 back | $3,400 back | $2,815 back |
| $50,000 | $580 back | $2,620 back | $1,652 back |
| $60,000 | $620 | $1,560 back | $452 back |
| $75,000 | $3,270 | $240 | $1,348 |
| $90,000 | $6,570 | $2,040 | $3,148 |
| $100,000 | $8,770 | $3,240 | $5,188 |
| $125,000 | $14,334 | $6,240 | $10,688 |
| $150,000 | $20,334 | $10,940 | $16,591 |
| $200,000 | $32,334 | $21,940 | $28,591 |
Refund for a single filer with $75,000 of income and no children, by amount withheld
| Withheld | Refund or owed |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $2,670 owed |
| $6,500 | $1,170 owed |
| $7,670 | $0 refund |
| $9,000 | $1,330 refund |
| $10,000 | $2,330 refund |
How this calculator works
Your refund is the tax withheld from your pay, plus any refundable child tax credit, minus the tax you owe on the year's income. The tax owed uses the 2026 brackets, standard deduction, child tax credit and any new deductions you enter.
Questions people ask
How much will I get back in taxes?
The difference between what was withheld (box 2 of your W-2) and the tax you owe, plus refundable credits. Enter both above for an estimate.
Why is my refund smaller than last year?
Usually because less was withheld (a raise, a new W-4, a second job) or a credit changed. A refund isn't extra money: it's tax you overpaid during the year.
Do the new deductions increase my refund?
Yes, if your withholding didn't already account for them. A $5,000 overtime deduction in the 22% bracket adds about $1,100.
When will I get my refund?
The IRS says most refunds for e-filed returns with direct deposit arrive within 21 days. Refunds claiming the earned income or additional child tax credit can't be issued before mid-February.
What if I owe?
Pay by the April deadline to avoid penalties and interest, or set up an IRS payment plan. Raising your withholding with a new W-4 prevents owing next year.
Related calculators
Sources
- IRS: Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 brackets, standard deduction, child tax credit)
- 26 U.S.C. 24: child tax credit
- IRS: Where's my refund
Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.