Simple Tax Refund Calculator
A quick 2026 federal refund estimate (the return you file in 2027) from your income, filing status, withholding and children — standard deduction, child tax credit, earned income credit and the new senior, tips and overtime deductions included.
How it works
Taxable income = income − pre-tax contributions − standard (or itemized) deduction − senior, tips and overtime deductions · Tax = 2026 brackets − credits (+ self-employment tax) · Refund = tax withheld + estimated payments + refundable credits − tax
A refund is the gap between what was withheld from your paychecks and what you actually owe — a large refund means you over-withheld and lent the government money interest-free. This estimate uses the IRS’s 2026 figures (the return you file in early 2027): it subtracts pre-tax 401(k) or HSA contributions, then the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household, more if you are 65 or older) or your itemized deductions if they are larger. The 2025 tax law’s new deductions for people 65 and older ($6,000 each), qualified tips and overtime pay come off next. The progressive brackets give the tax; the $2,200 child tax credit and $500 credit for other dependents reduce it, and the refundable part of the child credit and the earned income credit are added to what you paid. Under More options you can add estimated payments, other income, self-employment profit and other credits. The result also shows how much less (or more) to withhold per paycheck to break even next time.
Worked example
A single filer earning $65,000 subtracts the $16,100 standard deduction for $48,900 of taxable income. The 2026 brackets give 10% × $12,400 + 12% × $36,500 = $5,620 of tax. With $7,000 withheld, the estimated refund is $1,380 — about $53 per biweekly paycheck that could have stayed in your pocket. A married couple earning $120,000 with two children has $87,800 of taxable income and $10,040 of bracket tax; the $4,400 child tax credit brings that to $5,640, so $12,000 withheld means a $6,360 refund.
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 brackets, standard deduction, child tax credit, EITC · IRS — One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions for individuals (tips, overtime, senior deduction) · IRS Publication 505 — Tax withholding and estimated tax
Frequently asked questions
Why is my real refund different?
This quick version covers the common items: standard or itemized deduction, children and dependents, the earned income credit, age 65, tips and overtime. Education and child-care credits with their own rules, capital gains rates, taxable Social Security and state tax can all change the real number. For those, use the full tax refund estimator.
Is a big refund a good thing?
Not really. A refund means you overpaid during the year and are getting your own money back without interest. The calculator shows how much less you could withhold per paycheck to break even; a new Form W-4 puts that money in each paycheck instead.
What changed for 2026?
The standard deduction rose to $16,100 single and $32,200 married filing jointly, the child tax credit is $2,200 per child (up to $1,700 refundable), and the 2025 tax law added deductions for people 65 and older ($6,000 each), qualified tips (up to $25,000) and overtime premium pay (up to $12,500, or $25,000 joint).
Does this handle self-employment income?
Yes, roughly: enter your net profit under More options and the estimate adds 15.3% self-employment tax, deducts half of it and applies the 20% qualified business income deduction. If most of your income is self-employed, also plan quarterly estimated payments to avoid a penalty.
When will I get my refund?
Most e-filed returns with direct deposit are refunded within 21 days of acceptance. If you claim the earned income credit or the refundable child tax credit, the IRS cannot release the refund before mid-February.
Related calculators
Educational estimate of a 2026 federal return using IRS figures — not tax advice. It simplifies eligibility tests for credits and deductions and ignores state tax; check your actual return with tax software, a professional or the IRS.