Income Tax Calculator Estimate 2025 federal (and state) income tax — with deductions, credits, capital gains, and margina...
Income Tax Calculator
Estimate 2025 federal (and state) income tax — with deductions, credits, capital gains, and marginal rate analysis.
Marginal ≠ Effective Tax Rate**:
- Marginal**: Rate on your *next dollar* earned
- Effective**: Total tax ÷ Total income
Example: $85,000 single filer (2025): • $11,925 × 10% = $1,192.50 • ($48,475 − $11,925) × 12% = $4,386 • ($85,000 − $48,475) × 22% = $8,035.50 → **Total tax = $13,614** (but wait — after $15K standard deduction, taxable = $70,000 → **$9,800 tax**) • Marginal rate = **22%** • Effective rate = $9,800 / $85,000 = **11.5%**
✅ Key Insight**: Only income *above* a bracket is taxed at that rate — you never pay 37% on all your income.
⚠️ Avoid these errors:
- Missing estimated payments** — if withholding <90% of tax, penalty applies (common for freelancers)
- Overlooking SALT cap** — state + property tax deduction capped at $10,000 (federal)
- Confusing ST vs. LT capital gains** — ST taxed as ordinary income (up to 37%); LT = 0/15/20%
- Not claiming refundable credits** — $1,600/child refundable even if tax = $0
✅ Pro Tips**:
- Max HSA → reduces AGI *and* gives triple tax advantage
- Backdoor Roth → tax-free growth for high earners
- QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) → satisfy RMD + charity in one move (70½+)
| Filing Status | Income | Tax | Effective Rate | Marginal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $50,000 | $4,400 | 8.8% | 12% |
| Single | $85,000 | $9,800 | 11.5% | 22% |
| MFJ | $150,000 | $18,200 | 12.1% | 22% |
| MFJ | $300,000 | $52,100 | 17.4% | 24% |
📉 Capital Gains Brackets (Single)**:
- 0%: AGI ≤ $47,025
- 15%: $47,026 – $518,900
- 20%: > $518,900
- +3.8% NIIT if AGI > $200,000
➡️ Standard
W-2 income, standard deduction, child credits — most filers.
➡️ Itemized
Mortgage interest, SALT, charity — see if > standard deduction.
➡️ Capital Gains
Stock sales, real estate — separate ST (ordinary) and LT (preferential) rates.
➡️ State Tax
Estimate CA, NY, etc. — includes progressive brackets and caps.
You’ll get:
- Federal tax owed
- Effective vs. marginal rate
- SVG tax bracket waterfall
- Credit and deduction analysis
Note: Uses 2025 IRS brackets, standard deduction ($15K/$30K), and $2,000/child credit.