Tax Refund Calculator 2025 & 2026
A tax refund estimate starts with withholding and refundable credits, then subtracts estimated federal and state tax under the selected year's modeled rules. This calculator compares those amounts from the facts entered and keeps the calculation in your browser; it does not file a return, promise a refund, or model income, deductions, credits, and state rules outside its inputs.
Will you get a refund this year — or owe the IRS? Let's find out in about 2 minutes. Just plug in your gross pay and a few numbers from your W-2, and we'll estimate your federal and state taxes. No login required, and your info stays right here in your browser.
How do I calculate my tax refund for 2025?
Calculate your 2025 tax refund by entering your income, withholding amounts, and filing status. Your refund equals taxes withheld minus taxes owed. The IRS's average refund this filing season was $3,276 (returns processed through May 8, 2026, mostly tax-year 2025; $2,939 a year earlier), though refunds vary based on credits like the Child Tax Credit ($2,200 per child) and EITC (up to $8,046).
- Average refund this filing season: $3,276 (returns processed through May 8, 2026, mostly tax-year 2025; $2,939 a year earlier)
- Refund = Total withholding - Total tax liability
- Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17
- EITC can add up to $8,046 for families with 3+ qualifying children (2025)
Source:IRS filing season statistics
"The IRS's average refund this filing season was $3,276 — but millions of Americans leave money on the table every year. They forget about the Earned Income Credit, miss state-specific deductions, or just don't know what they qualify for. Two minutes with this calculator could be worth hundreds."
Your Information
2025 federal brackets, standard deductions, FICA wage base ($176,100), OBBB deductions (Rev. Proc. 2024-40), and 2025 state brackets (Tax Foundation 2025).
Not W-2 Box 1. Box 1 already has your 401(k) removed. From a W-2, use Box 5 (Medicare wages), which adds your 401(k) back.
W-2 Box 2
W-2 Box 17
$2,200 credit each (OBBB)
$500 credit each
This is an estimate for educational purposes only. Consult a tax professional for advice.
Based on $75,000 income in California
Income Breakdown
FICA Breakdown
Need More Detail?
For a comprehensive breakdown with bracket visualization and more deductions, try our detailed calculators.
Sources & References
Primary references used for this content
Your Federal Income Tax
For Individuals
View on irs.gov
Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information
Filing requirements and deductions
View on irs.gov
Earned Income Credit
EITC eligibility and amounts
View on irs.gov
2025 Tax Brackets and Adjustments
Annual inflation adjustments
View on irs.gov
✓4 primary sources; links re-checked on a weekly rotation by the source watcher
Prior Year Tax Refund Estimates (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
Standard deduction, tax brackets, and credits change every year. If you're filing a late or amended return, use the standard-deduction figures and brackets that applied for that specific year — not today's numbers.
| Tax Year | Std Deduction (Single / MFJ) | Top Bracket | Filing Deadline | Refund Claim Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $13,850 / $27,700 | 37% over $578,125 | Apr 15, 2024 | Apr 15, 2027 |
| 2024 | $14,600 / $29,200 | 37% over $609,350 | Apr 15, 2025 | Apr 15, 2028 |
| 2025 (current) | $15,750 / $31,500 | 37% over $626,350 | Apr 15, 2026 | Apr 15, 2029 |
| 2026 | $16,100 / $32,200 | 37% (inflation-adjusted) | Apr 15, 2027 | Apr 15, 2030 |
Filing a Prior-Year Return
Use IRS Form 1040 for that tax year (downloadable from irs.gov/prior-year). Mail-in only — e-file is generally limited to the most recent two tax years. Refund claim window is 3 years from the original due date.
Amending vs Originally Filing Late
If you already filed and need to fix it, file Form 1040-X (now e-fileable for 2022+). If you never filed, file the original Form 1040 for that year. Penalties apply only if you owe — there's no penalty for late filing of a refund return.
For OBBB-impacted estimates (no tax on tips, overtime premium deduction, senior bonus deduction), those rules first apply to tax year 2025. Returns for 2024 and earlier do not get those benefits. Educational use only — confirm with a CPA before filing.