Effective Tax Rate Calculator 2026
See your real federal tax burden — total tax ÷ gross income — and how it compares to your marginal bracket. Uses 2026 IRS brackets and standard deduction amounts.
Your Income & Filing Info
Effective Federal Tax Rate
12.1%
vs 22% marginal rate
Federal Tax Owed
$10,314
After-Tax Income
$74,686
Taxable Income
$70,000
Total Burden (incl. FICA)
19.8%
Bracket-by-Bracket Breakdown
Taxable income: $70,000 (gross $85,000 − deduction $15,000)
| Rate | Income Taxed | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $11,925 | $1,192.50 |
| 12% | $36,550 | $4,386.00 |
| 22% | $21,525 | $4,735.50 |
| Total | $70,000 | $10,314.00 |
Effective rate = $10,314 ÷ $85,000 = 12.13% (vs 22% marginal — the rate on your last dollar)
Effective Tax Rate vs Marginal Tax Rate
Your marginal tax rate is the rate on your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reach. Your effective tax rate is your total federal income tax divided by your total income. Because the US uses a progressive system, each layer of income is taxed at its own rate — only the income within a bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
Example: A single filer with $85,000 gross income in 2026 claims the $15,000 standard deduction, leaving $70,000 taxable. They pay 10% on the first $11,925, 12% on $11,926–$48,475, and 22% on $48,476–$70,000. Their marginal rate is 22% but their effective rate is closer to 13–14%.