Estimate your federal and state tax refund based on income, withholding, deductions, and filing status using 2025 tax brackets.
W-2 Box 2
W-2 Box 17
Child tax credit, education credits, EITC, and other non-refundable credits
Select your filing status: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household. This determines your tax brackets and standard deduction.
Enter your annual gross income — this is your total income before any taxes, deductions, or exemptions are applied. Include wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable income.
Enter the federal and state tax amounts withheld year-to-date (YTD). You can find these on your pay stubs or W-2 form in boxes 2 (federal) and 17 (state).
Choose between the standard deduction or itemized deductions. The standard deduction is a flat amount based on your filing status. Itemized deductions include mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and state/local taxes (SALT, capped at $10,000). Enter any applicable tax credits.
Click "Calculate Refund" to see your estimated federal and state tax liability, total withholding, and whether you will receive a refund or owe additional taxes. Review the bracket-by-bracket breakdown for a detailed view.
Your tax refund is the difference between what was withheld from your paychecks (federal and state) and your actual tax liability. Tax liability is calculated using progressive tax brackets — each portion of your taxable income is taxed at a different rate. Your taxable income is your gross income minus deductions (standard or itemized). Tax credits are then subtracted directly from your federal tax liability, reducing it dollar-for-dollar. If your total withholding exceeds your total tax, you receive a refund. If your withholding falls short, you owe additional taxes. The 2025 standard deductions are: Single $15,000, Married Filing Jointly $30,000, Married Filing Separately $15,000, Head of Household $22,500.
A single filer earning $65,000 with $8,500 federal tax withheld and no state tax withheld. Standard deduction: $14,600. Taxable income: $65,000 - $14,600 = $50,400. Federal tax: $1,160 (10% bracket on first $11,600) + $4,266 (12% bracket on $35,550) + $719 (22% bracket on $3,270) = $6,145. State tax estimate (5%): $2,520. Total tax: $8,665. Total withholding: $8,500. Amount owed: $165.
A married couple filing jointly with $120,000 combined income. Federal withheld: $15,000. State withheld: $5,000. Standard deduction: $29,200. Taxable income: $90,800. Federal tax: $2,320 (10% on first $23,200) + $8,532 (12% on $71,100) + $1,353 (22% on $6,150) = $12,205. State tax (5%): $4,540. Total tax: $16,745. Total withholding: $20,000. Estimated refund: $3,255.
A head of household filer earning $45,000 with $4,200 federal tax withheld and $1,000 in tax credits. Standard deduction: $21,900. Taxable income: $23,100. Federal tax: $1,655 (10% on first $16,550) + $723 (12% on $6,025) = $2,378. After $1,000 in credits: $1,378. State tax (5%): $1,155. Total tax: $2,533. Total withholding: $4,200. Estimated refund: $1,667.
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