IRA & Retirement Withdrawal Tax Calculator
Model how much of a taxable IRA or 401(k) withdrawal you may keep after federal income tax. Enter the taxable withdrawal amount and an estimated effective tax rate for that distribution. The calculator is a planning scenario, not a full tax-return calculation.
On this page: Calculator · 2026 tax rates · How it works · Account types · FAQs
Retirement withdrawal tax calculator
Enter the taxable withdrawal amount and an estimated effective federal tax rate for the distribution.
Gross withdrawal: $
Estimated tax: $
After-tax income: $
Effective tax rate entered: %
Need to report a retirement distribution? FreeTaxUSA↗ supports Form 1099-R reporting for individual income-tax returns. Affiliate link.
2026 federal income tax rates for retirement withdrawals
Taxable traditional retirement distributions are ordinary income. They are added to other taxable income, so one withdrawal can span several federal brackets rather than being taxed entirely at the highest bracket it reaches.
2026 federal income tax brackets (single filers)
| Taxable income (single) | Marginal rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $12,400 | 10% |
| $12,401 – $50,400 | 12% |
| $50,401 – $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,701 – $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,776 – $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,226 – $640,600 | 35% |
| Over $640,600 | 37% |
For 2026, the standard deduction is $16,100 for a single filer under age 65. Taxpayers age 65 or older may qualify for an additional standard deduction, and current law also provides a temporary enhanced senior deduction subject to eligibility and income limits. These deductions affect taxable income before the brackets are applied. See the IRS 2026 amounts.
Flat-rate withdrawal scenarios
| Withdrawal | Rate entered | Estimated tax | After-tax amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | 12% | $1,800 | $13,200 |
| $30,000 | 18% | $5,400 | $24,600 |
| $30,000 | 22% | $6,600 | $23,400 |
| $50,000 | 18% | $9,000 | $41,000 |
| $50,000 | 22% | $11,000 | $39,000 |
| $100,000 | 20% | $20,000 | $80,000 |
| $100,000 | 24% | $24,000 | $76,000 |
These rows illustrate the calculator's flat-rate math; they are not claims that a withdrawal of that size is taxed at that rate. State treatment varies, and some states provide retirement-income exclusions or deductions.
How retirement withdrawal taxes are calculated
This calculator intentionally uses a simple planning model: estimated tax = taxable withdrawal × the effective rate you enter. It is useful for scenario comparisons, but a federal return applies deductions and progressive brackets to your total annual income.
For example, if a withdrawal sits partly in the 12% bracket and partly in the 22% bracket, using 22% on every dollar will overstate the income tax attributable to the distribution. A better input is an estimated average rate on the withdrawal after considering your other income and deductions. Taxable IRA and qualified-plan distributions are generally subject to income tax, but they are not wages and are not subject to Social Security and Medicare payroll tax merely because they are taxable.
Required minimum distributions (RMDs)
Current law phases the applicable RMD starting age from 73 to 75 for later birth cohorts. Traditional IRAs generally require RMDs; workplace plans can have different timing for some participants who are still employed, and Roth IRAs plus designated Roth accounts do not require lifetime RMDs for the original owner under current rules. A missed RMD can trigger a 25% excise tax on the shortfall, potentially reduced to 10% when corrected within the statutory correction window. See IRS RMD guidance.
Inherited retirement accounts use separate distribution rules
Many non-spouse designated beneficiaries are subject to a 10-year distribution rule, while surviving spouses and other eligible designated beneficiaries can have different options. Whether annual distributions are required during that period can depend on the beneficiary category and whether the original owner died before or after the required beginning date. Review the IRS beneficiary rules.
Tax treatment by retirement account type
| Account | Withdrawal taxable? | Additional tax before 59½? | Lifetime RMDs for owner? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | Taxable portion is ordinary income | Generally 10%, unless exception | Yes; starting age depends on birth year |
| Traditional 401(k) / 403(b) | Taxable portion is ordinary income | Generally 10%, unless exception | Generally yes; some still-employed participants can delay |
| Roth IRA (qualified) | Generally tax-free | Ordering/qualification rules matter | No |
| Designated Roth 401(k) / 403(b) | Qualified distribution generally tax-free | Qualification rules matter | No under current rules |
| Pension / defined benefit | Taxable portion generally ordinary income | Plan and distribution rules vary | Paid under plan terms |
| SEP IRA / SIMPLE IRA | Taxable portion is ordinary income | Special additional-tax rules can apply | Yes; starting age depends on birth year |
For distributions before age 59½, use the early retirement withdrawal tax calculator and review whether an IRS exception applies.
Filing taxes on retirement income?
Retirement withdrawals generate Form 1099-R and may also interact with Social Security taxation, Medicare surcharges (IRMAA), and state exemptions. Tax software can help report Form 1099-R income and other items that belong on an individual income-tax return.
TurboTax↗ — supports retirement-income and Form 1099-R reporting with guided questions
H&R Block↗ — file with a tax professional in-person or online for complex retirement income situations
FreeTaxUSA↗ — handles retirement income and Form 1099-R reporting at low cost
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Related retirement and tax calculators
- Early retirement withdrawal tax calculator Add the 10% early withdrawal penalty to your estimate for pre-59½ distributions
- Inheritance & estate tax calculator Estimate tax on inherited IRAs, 401(k)s, and other inherited assets
- Retirement tax calculators — all tools Full overview of withdrawal, early distribution, and inheritance calculators
- Capital gains tax calculator For non-retirement investment account sales — stocks, ETFs, real estate
- Marginal vs effective tax rate Understand which rate to use when estimating retirement withdrawal taxes
Retirement withdrawal tax: FAQs
Are retirement withdrawals taxable?
Taxable distributions from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and many pensions are generally ordinary income. A traditional IRA can contain after-tax basis, so a distribution is not always 100% taxable. Qualified Roth distributions generally are tax-free.
How much tax do you pay on a retirement withdrawal?
The answer depends on the taxable portion of the distribution, your other income, deductions, filing status, and state rules. Progressive federal brackets mean the whole withdrawal is not automatically taxed at your highest marginal rate. This calculator is most useful when you enter an estimated effective rate on the withdrawal.
What is the tax rate on IRA and 401(k) withdrawals in 2026?
Taxable traditional IRA and 401(k) distributions are ordinary income. For 2026, federal marginal rates remain 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, but the actual tax attributable to a withdrawal depends on where each dollar falls after deductions and other income are considered.
Are Roth IRA withdrawals taxable?
Qualified Roth IRA distributions are generally tax-free. Roth IRA ordering rules allow regular contributions to come out before conversions and earnings, while non-qualified earnings can be taxable and may also face the 10% additional tax. The five-year and age requirements matter for qualified distributions.
Do required minimum distributions (RMDs) count as taxable income?
The taxable portion of an RMD from a traditional retirement account is generally ordinary income. Current law phases the applicable RMD starting age from 73 to 75 for later cohorts, and some workplace-plan participants can have different timing. Roth IRAs and designated Roth accounts have no lifetime RMD for the original owner under current rules. A missed RMD can trigger a 25% excise tax, potentially reduced to 10% after timely correction.
Does this calculator include state tax?
No. The calculator applies only the percentage you enter. You can incorporate an estimated combined rate if you want a planning scenario that includes state income tax, but state treatment of retirement income varies substantially and may include exclusions or deductions.
How accurate is this retirement withdrawal tax calculator?
It is a flat-rate scenario calculator, not a tax-return engine. It does not automatically calculate deductions, progressive bracket stacking, IRA basis, Social Security taxation, state retirement exclusions, credits, or account-specific exceptions. Use it for planning comparisons rather than a final tax liability.