Tax Refund Estimator (US)
Get a rough estimate of your US federal tax refund or amount owed based on your income, filing status, and withholding.
This calculator provides estimates only and is not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.
How to use this calculator
Enter your annual income, filing status, total federal withholding, and standard deduction (pre-filled for the 2025 tax year), then click Estimate Refund. If withholding exceeds your estimated liability, you get an estimated refund; if it's less, you get an estimated amount owed. Treat the result as a rough starting point, not a filing figure.
How is this calculated?
The calculator subtracts the standard deduction from your income to get taxable income, applies the 2025 progressive federal tax brackets to that taxable income to estimate your tax liability, and compares that to what you've already had withheld. This tool only models federal income tax with the standard deduction — it ignores credits, itemized deductions, state and local taxes, and other income adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I owe money instead of getting a refund?
You owe money when your total withholding is less than your estimated tax liability — often because too little was withheld from your paychecks relative to your income. Check that your W-4 withholding matches your actual income situation, especially after a raise or a second job.
What counts as withholding?
Withholding is the federal income tax your employer already took out of your paychecks throughout the year, shown in Box 2 of your W-2. It does not include Social Security or Medicare tax withheld, which are separate from income tax.
Does this include tax credits or deductions?
This estimator only applies the standard deduction and the 2025 federal tax brackets. It does not account for tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit), itemized deductions, state taxes, self-employment tax, or other income adjustments — all of which can change your actual result significantly.
Is this tool accurate enough for filing my taxes?
No. This is a simplified estimate meant to give you a rough sense of where you stand, not a substitute for tax software or a tax professional. Use IRS-provided tools or consult a qualified preparer for anything you actually file.