How to use the tax refund calculator
- 1 Enter your wages and the federal tax withheld for 2026, from your pay stubs.
- 2 Choose your filing status and enter children under 17.
- 3 Add pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions and any new deductions.
- 4 Read your estimated refund or balance due.
Worked example
A single filer with $65,000 of wages, $3,000 in a 401(k) and $6,500 withheld. Adjusted gross income is $62,000 and taxable income $45,900 after the $16,100 standard deduction. Tax is $5,260, so the estimated refund is $1,240. A head of household with two children, the same wages and $4,000 withheld gets about $3,852 back thanks to the child tax credit.
Getting the refund you expect
- Use your last pay stub for year-to-date wages and withholding.
- Claim the new deductions for tips, overtime, car loans and seniors.
- Check credits such as the child tax credit and EITC.
- Update your W-4 if you will owe.
See your bracket with the Federal Income Tax Calculator, add the EITC Calculator, and plan payments with the Estimated Tax Calculator.
Features
2026 tax rules
Standard deduction, seven brackets and the child tax credit.
New deductions
Room for Schedule 1-A deductions for tips, overtime, car loans and seniors.
Refund or owe
Shows the refund, or the balance due and a W-4 hint.
When to use it
Planning for tax season
Know your refund before January. Check your withholding with the Paycheck Calculator.
Changing your W-4
If you will owe, raise withholding now. See your bracket with the Federal Income Tax Calculator.
Families
See the effect of the $2,200 child tax credit. Check it in detail with the Child Tax Credit Calculator.
Tipped and overtime workers
Work out your deductions with the No Tax on Tips Calculator and No Tax on Overtime Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
How is my tax refund calculated?
Your refund is the tax withheld from your pay, plus refundable credits, minus the tax you owe after deductions and credits. If withholding is more than your tax, you get the difference back.
Why might my refund be bigger in 2027?
For 2026 many people get the new deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors, and a higher $2,200 child tax credit. If your withholding did not change, the extra comes back as a refund.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for head of household.
When can I file my 2026 return?
The IRS usually opens filing in late January. The deadline is April 15, 2027.
How long do refunds take?
Most e-filed returns with direct deposit are refunded within 21 days. Refunds that include the EITC or additional child tax credit are held until mid-February by law.
Does this include the earned income tax credit?
No. If you have low to moderate earnings, check the EITC Calculator and add it to your refund.
What if I will owe tax?
You can increase withholding by giving your employer a new Form W-4, or make an estimated payment, to avoid a bill and possible penalty.
Does it include state tax?
No. This estimate is for federal income tax only.
Is the result exact?
It is an estimate. Other income, credits and deductions can change your actual refund.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
· Last updated
· How we check our tools
· Report a problem