Tax Estimator Calculator: Estimate Income Tax & Net Pay (2026)
Estimate your income tax and after-tax net income using a simple effective tax rate. Ideal for quick budgeting, comparing job offers, and understanding how taxes reduce your pay.
On this page: Calculator · Reference table · Which rate to use · FAQs
Estimated tax: $
Net income after tax: $
Quick estimate only. For a full breakdown by state using actual 2026 brackets, use the take-home pay calculator.
Estimated tax and net income: quick reference table (2026)
Here's estimated income tax and net income at common salary levels using flat effective rates:
| Gross Income | Tax (20% rate) | Net (20%) | Tax (25% rate) | Net (25%) | Tax (30% rate) | Net (30%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $8,000 | $32,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 | $12,000 | $28,000 |
| $50,000 | $10,000 | $40,000 | $12,500 | $37,500 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| $60,000 | $12,000 | $48,000 | $15,000 | $45,000 | $18,000 | $42,000 |
| $75,000 | $15,000 | $60,000 | $18,750 | $56,250 | $22,500 | $52,500 |
| $100,000 | $20,000 | $80,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 | $30,000 | $70,000 |
| $120,000 | $24,000 | $96,000 | $30,000 | $90,000 | $36,000 | $84,000 |
| $150,000 | $30,000 | $120,000 | $37,500 | $112,500 | $45,000 | $105,000 |
Flat rate estimates only — actual net income is different due to progressive brackets. At $75k in Texas (no state tax), actual take-home is approximately $59,500/year. In California, approximately $54,800. For exact state figures, use the take-home pay calculator.
Which effective tax rate should I enter?
Enter your total effective rate — the combined average of federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax. This is always lower than your top marginal bracket. Here's a guide by income and state type:
| Salary Range | No-Tax State (TX/FL/WA) | Mid-Tax State (CO/AZ/NC) | High-Tax State (CA/NY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000–$60,000 | 20–22% | 23–25% | 25–27% |
| $60,000–$100,000 | 21–24% | 25–28% | 27–31% |
| $100,000–$150,000 | 24–27% | 28–32% | 31–35% |
| $150,000+ | 27–30% | 31–35% | 35–40% |
No-tax states: Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada (no state income tax).
Mid-tax states: Colorado (4.4% flat), Arizona (2.5% flat), North Carolina (4.75% flat).
High-tax states: California (1–13.3% progressive), New York (4–10.9% progressive).
For the exact effective rate computed automatically for your state and salary, use the take-home pay calculator. To understand why effective rate is always lower than your bracket, see the effective tax rate guide.
How this tax estimator works
This calculator applies a single flat effective rate to your gross income:
- Estimated tax = Gross income × effective tax rate
- Net income after tax = Gross income × (1 − effective tax rate)
Example: $75,000 gross at 25% effective rate = $18,750 estimated tax · $56,250 net.
This is a simplified estimate. Actual taxes use progressive brackets where lower income is taxed at lower rates — so your real net income is usually slightly higher than a flat-rate estimate suggests. For a full progressive bracket calculation, use the take-home pay calculator which applies actual 2026 federal and state rates and shows every deduction line by line.
Ready to file? These tools calculate your exact tax
- TurboTax — calculates your exact effective and marginal rates and files your return
- FreeTaxUSA — free federal filing, low-cost state return for any income level
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Related income & pay calculators
- Take-home pay calculator Full breakdown using actual 2026 federal and state brackets — all 50 states
- Net hourly wage calculator Estimate after-tax hourly pay at any wage and effective tax rate
- Salary calculator Annual salary to monthly, biweekly, weekly, and hourly — with after-tax estimates
- Biweekly paycheck calculator Convert any salary to biweekly net pay with a full reference table
- Compare take-home pay by state Side-by-side: enter one salary and compare any two states instantly
- Effective tax rate explained Why your effective rate is always lower than your top bracket
Tax estimator FAQs
What is an effective tax rate?
An effective tax rate is the average percentage of your total income paid in taxes — calculated as total taxes divided by total income. It is always lower than your top marginal bracket because lower income portions are taxed at lower rates. At $75,000 salary, the effective federal rate is approximately 13–14%, even though the top bracket is 22%. See the effective tax rate guide for a full explanation.
How accurate is this tax estimator?
This calculator provides a quick estimate based on the effective tax rate you enter. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, pre-tax contributions, and local tax laws. For a full breakdown using actual 2026 federal and state brackets, use the take-home pay calculator.
Can I use this for budgeting?
Yes. This calculator is useful for quick budgeting, estimating take-home income, and comparing job offers across states. Enter 20–22% for no-tax states (Texas, Florida), 23–27% for mid-tax states, and 27–31% for high-tax states (California, New York) for a realistic total effective rate including FICA.
Does this calculator include state taxes?
Only if you include state tax in the effective rate you enter. For a combined total rate (federal + FICA + state), use the ranges in the tax rate guide above. For an automatic state-specific calculation, use the take-home pay calculator which applies each state's actual 2026 brackets.
What effective tax rate should I enter?
Use your total effective rate — federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax combined. For most US workers: no-tax states (TX, FL, WA) = 20–24%, mid-tax states (CO, AZ) = 23–28%, high-tax states (CA, NY) = 27–32%. Your effective rate is always lower than your top bracket. The tax rate guide above provides ranges by salary level and state type.
How is this different from the take-home pay calculator?
This tax estimator is a simple one-input tool using your entered effective rate — fast for quick comparisons and budgeting. The take-home pay calculator applies actual 2026 federal and state progressive brackets automatically and shows a full line-by-line breakdown including FICA and state tax.