Tax Refund Calculator
This estimator gives a practical, conservative approximation of federal tax liability and whether you can expect a refund or will owe tax for the selected year. It is designed for planning, not filing.
Calculations use a simplified progressive schedule and common adjustments (pre-tax contributions, standard vs itemized deduction). Results are approximate; use IRS publications and your tax professional for filing-level accuracy.
Quick estimate of taxable income, estimated federal tax liability, and net refund (payments + credits − tax). Uses standard deduction or itemized deduction, and a simplified progressive tax schedule for a conservative estimate.
Inputs
Results
Taxable income
$27,100.00
Estimated federal tax liability
—
Total federal payments
$8,000.00
Estimated refund (positive) or amount due (negative)
—
Deduction used (standard or itemized)
$27,900.00
| Output | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable income | $27,100.00 | USD |
| Estimated federal tax liability | — | USD |
| Total federal payments | $8,000.00 | USD |
| Estimated refund (positive) or amount due (negative) | — | USD |
| Deduction used (standard or itemized) | $27,900.00 | USD |
Visualization
Methodology
The tool computes adjusted gross income by adding wage income and other taxable income, then subtracting pre-tax contributions and allowable adjustments.
It selects the larger of itemized deductions or an assumed standard deduction based on filing status, computes taxable income, applies a simplified progressive tax schedule to estimate liability, and subtracts payments and credits to estimate refund or amount due.
A second mode suggests an annual and per-paycheck withholding change by distributing any shortfall across the selected number of pay periods.
Worked examples
Example 1: Single filer, $60,000 wages, $5,000 pre-tax contributions, $8,000 withheld → conservative estimate may show a small refund or near-zero balance depending on credits.
Example 2: Married filing jointly, $120,000 wages combined, low withholding → estimator may show an amount due and provide per-paycheck adjustment to reduce year-end tax owed.
Further resources
External guidance
Expert Q&A
How accurate is this calculator?
This estimator provides an approximate result for planning purposes only. It uses simplified assumptions and an illustrative progressive schedule. It does not model every credit, deduction phase-out, AMT, state taxes, or detailed itemization rules. Expect differences from final IRS calculations; consult official IRS tables or a tax professional for filing-level accuracy.
Is my data stored securely?
This tool is a client-side estimator and should not be used to submit sensitive documents. For any storage, adhere to recommended security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Do not paste full Social Security numbers or banking credentials into calculators.
Can this calculate state taxes?
No. This focuses on federal tax estimates only. State and local taxes, credits, and withholding rules vary and are not modeled here.
Can I use the result to set Form W-4?
This tool can inform withholding decisions but is not a substitute for the IRS Withholding Estimator or professional advice. Use calculated per-paycheck suggestions as guidance and confirm changes using official IRS resources.
Sources & citations
- IRS Tax Withholding Estimator — https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator
- IRS Publication: Federal Income Tax Rates and Tax Tables — https://www.irs.gov/pub
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework — https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
- ISO 9001 Quality Management Principles — https://www.iso.org/iso-9001-quality-management.html
- IEEE Standards Association — https://standards.ieee.org