Tax Refund Calculator
Estimate whether you’ll get a refund or owe money when you file. Enter your income, withholding, and deductions to see your estimated refund — powered by a comprehensive tax engine covering all 50 states + DC.
Income
Filing Details
Withholding & Estimated Payments
Enter the total federal and state tax already withheld or paid for the year. Find this on your last pay stub (YTD Federal Tax, YTD State Tax) or 1099s.
How Your Tax Refund Is Calculated
Your tax refund (or balance due) is the difference between what you owe and what you’ve already paid. If your employer withheld more than your actual tax liability, you get the difference back as a refund. If they withheld too little, you owe the difference.
Refund = Total Withholding + Estimated Payments - Total Tax Liability
Your total tax liability includes federal income tax (from the progressive brackets), Social Security tax (6.2% up to $176,100 for 2026), Medicare tax (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K/$250K), and any applicable state income tax.
Credits reduce your tax dollar-for-dollar. The Child Tax Credit ($2,200 per child under 17 for 2026), Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits, and others can significantly reduce what you owe — or increase your refund. Some credits like the EITC are refundable, meaning they can create a refund even if you owe no tax.
A large refund isn’t always good. It means you gave the government an interest-free loan. Consider adjusting your W-4 withholding to keep more in each paycheck. Conversely, owing a large amount may trigger underpayment penalties.