Guides
Step-by-step guides and practical tax tips. Every guide is linked to the free calculators on this site.
💵 What is the standard deduction for 2026? $16,100
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 joint and $24,150 head of household — and it sets what withholding, capital gains and refunds do.
· Income tax📄 How To Calculate Taxable Income From W2
Box 1 of your W-2 is not your salary, and it is not your taxable income either. Read each box, then subtract your 2026 deduction to get the taxed figure.
· Income tax🧾 How To Calculate Taxable Income
Taxable income is your adjusted gross income minus deductions. The 2026 formula, with worked examples for employees and self-employed filers.
· Income tax🧾 What is the standard deduction in 2026?
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly and $24,150 head of household — plus how much tax it really saves.
· Income tax💵 How much tax is withheld from my paycheck?
Paycheck withholding combines federal income tax (IRS Pub. 15-T percent method), Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45%. Example: $1,500 nets $1,225.06.
· Payroll🧮 2026 federal income tax brackets
2026 federal income tax brackets for single filers: 10% up to $12,400, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225 and 37% above $640,600.
· Income tax🛒 Sales tax rates by state (2026)
Combined 2026 sales tax rates by state (Tax Foundation): Tennessee 9.61%, Washington 9.57%, California 9.03% and Florida 6.98% — state plus average local.
· Sales tax🧾 How to calculate self-employment tax
Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings: an effective rate of 14.13%. Example: $50,000 of net profit means $7,064.77 of SE tax in 2026.
· Self-employment📈 Capital gains tax rates 2026
2026 long-term capital gains tax rates: 0% up to $49,450, 15% to $545,500 and 20% above for single filers (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Plus the 3.8% NIIT.
· Capital gains