The United States federal income tax system is a complex one, but understanding how it works is essential for every taxpayer. The amount of income tax you owe is determined by your taxable income, which is your total income minus certain deductions and exemptions. Your taxable income is then taxed at a rate that depends on your filing status and the amount of income you earn.
Calculating Your Taxable Income
The first step in calculating your federal income tax is to determine your taxable income. Your taxable income is your total income minus certain deductions and exemptions.
- Deductions reduce your taxable income by allowing you to subtract certain expenses from your total income. Some common deductions include the standard deduction, the mortgage interest deduction, and the charitable contribution deduction.
- Exemptions are a specific dollar amount that you can subtract from your taxable income before calculating your taxes. The personal exemption was eliminated for the 2018 tax year, but there are still some other exemptions available, such as the exemption for dependents.
Taxable Income Brackets
Once you have calculated your taxable income, you need to determine which tax bracket you fall into. The tax brackets are set by the IRS and they determine the rate at which your income is taxed.
The 2023 federal income tax brackets are as follows:
| Filing Status | Taxable Income | Marginal Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $0 – $11,000 | 10% |
| Single | $11,000 – $44,725 | 12% |
| Single | $44,725 – $95,375 | 22% |
| Single | $95,375 – $182,100 | 24% |
| Single | $182,100 – $231,250 | 32% |
| Single | $231,250 – $578,125 | 35% |
| Single | $578,125+ | 37% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $0 – $22,000 | 10% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $22,000 – $89,450 | 12% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $89,450 – $190,750 | 22% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $190,750 – $364,200 | 24% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $364,200 – $462,500 | 32% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $462,500 – $693,750 | 35% |
| Married Filing Jointly | $693,750+ | 37% |
| Married Filing Separately | $0 – $11,000 | 10% |
| Married Filing Separately | $11,000 – $44,725 | 12% |
| Married Filing Separately | $44,725 – $95,375 | 22% |
| Married Filing Separately | $95,375 – $182,100 | 24% |
| Married Filing Separately | $182,100 – $231,250 | 32% |
| Married Filing Separately | $231,250 – $346,875 | 35% |
| Married Filing Separately | $346,875+ | 37% |
| Head of Household | $0 – $15,700 | 10% |
| Head of Household | $15,700 – $59,850 | 12% |
| Head of Household | $59,850 – $95,350 | 22% |
| Head of Household | $95,350 – $182,100 | 24% |
| Head of Household | $182,100 – $231,250 | 32% |
| Head of Household | $231,250 – $578,100 | 35% |
| Head of Household | $578,100+ | 37% |
Calculating Your Tax Liability
Once you know your taxable income and your tax bracket, you can calculate your tax liability. Your tax liability is the amount of tax that you owe to the IRS.
To calculate your tax liability, you need to multiply your taxable income by your marginal tax rate. Your marginal tax rate is the tax rate that applies to the last dollar of your taxable income.
For example, if you are single and your taxable income is $50,000, your marginal tax rate is 22%. This means that you will owe $11,000 in federal income tax.
Paying Your Taxes
Once you have calculated your tax liability, you need to pay your taxes to the IRS. You can pay your taxes online, by mail, or by phone.
If you are unable to pay your taxes in full, you can request an extension from the IRS. You can also make installment payments to the IRS.
Getting Help with Your Taxes
If you need help with your taxes, you can contact the IRS for assistance. The IRS offers a variety of resources to help taxpayers, including online help, phone assistance, and in-person assistance at IRS offices.
You can also get help from a tax professional, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) or an enrolled agent (EA). Tax professionals can help you with all aspects of your taxes, from preparing your return to representing you in an audit.
How To Calculate Federal Income Taxes – Social Security & Medicare Included
FAQ
What percentage of my income is taxed federal?
How do I calculate total federal taxes paid?
What determines the amount of federal income tax you pay?
What determines how much federal tax is deducted from your paycheck?
How do you calculate taxable income?
Taking gross income, subtract deductions and exemptions such as contributions to a 401 (k) or pension plan. The resulting figure should be the taxable income amount. Interest Income –Most interest will be taxed as ordinary income, including interest earned on checking and savings accounts, CDs, and income tax refunds.
How do you calculate effective tax rate?
The percentage of your taxable income that you pay in taxes is called your effective tax rate. To determine your effective tax rate, divide your total tax owed (line 16) on Form 1040 by your total taxable income (line 15). Two common ways of reducing your tax bill are credits and deductions.
What is the income tax calculator?
The Income Tax Calculator estimates the refund or potential owed amount on a federal tax return. It is mainly intended for residents of the U.S. and is based on the tax brackets of 2023 and 2024. The 2024 tax values can be used for 1040-ES estimation, planning ahead, or comparison.
How is income taxed in America?
Income in America is taxed by the federal government, most state governments and many local governments. The federal income tax system is progressive, so the rate of taxation increases as income increases. Marginal tax rates range from 10% to 37%. Taxes can really put a dent in your paycheck.