How does the tax refund calculator work?

Enter your W-2 amounts (wages, federal and state tax withheld, etc.) and filing status. The calculator estimates your tax liability using 2026 rates and compares it to what was withheld to show an estimated refund or amount owed.

Is this tax refund calculator free?

Yes. Our tax refund calculator is free. Enter your information and get an estimate of your refund or balance due—no sign-up required.

What if I owe tax instead of getting a refund?

The calculator shows either an estimated refund or amount owed. If you owe, use our W-4 Assistant to adjust withholding for the rest of the year and avoid a large bill next year.

What information do I need for the tax refund calculator?

You need your W-2 form: Box 1 (wages), Box 2 (federal tax withheld), and Box 17 (state tax withheld). You also need your filing status and state of residence. Optional: number of dependents, retirement contributions, and other income or deductions.

How accurate is the tax refund calculator?

The calculator gives a close estimate using 2026 federal and state tax rates, standard deduction, and common credits. Your actual refund can differ with complex deductions, self-employment income, or credits not modeled here. Use it for planning; file with tax software or a professional for your final return.

Tax Refund Calculator 2026

Use our free tax refund calculator to estimate your federal and state tax refund or amount owed for 2026. Enter your W-2 wages and withholdings below for an instant estimate—no sign-up required. Updated for current tax rates and standard deduction.

How to Use the Tax Refund Calculator

Enter your W-2 information — Box 1 (wages), Box 2 (federal tax withheld), and Box 17 (state tax withheld) from your W-2 form.
Select filing status and state — Choose single, married filing jointly, or head of household, and the state where you pay income tax.
Add optional details — Dependents, retirement contributions, or itemized deductions if they apply.
Get your estimate — See your estimated tax refund or amount owed for 2026.

Need to see take-home pay instead? Use our US Tax Calculator for salary and withholding estimates. To adjust future withholding, try our W-4 Assistant.

Tax Refund Estimator

Enter your W-2 information to estimate your tax refund or amount owed

W-2 Form Information

Enter the values from your W-2 form

Income & Withholding

Box 1: Wages, Tips, Other Compensation

Box 2: Federal Income Tax Withheld

Social Security & Medicare

Box 3: Social Security Wages

Box 4: Social Security Tax Withheld

Box 5: Medicare Wages and Tips

Box 6: Medicare Tax Withheld

State Tax Information

Box 16: State Wages, Tips, etc.

Box 17: State Income Tax Withheld

Additional Information

Provide additional details to calculate your accurate refund

Tax Year

Year you are estimating refund for

Filing Status

State

Number of Children

Eligible for Child Tax Credit ($2,000 per child)

Retirement Contributions

401(k), IRA, or other pre-tax contributions

Other Income

Interest, 1099, side income, etc. (added to W-2 for tax)

Use itemized deductions

If you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction

I am 65 or older (2026 senior deduction)

2026 OBBBA adds an extra standard deduction for taxpayers 65+

What Affects Your Tax Refund?

Your tax refund or amount owed depends on how much was withheld during the year versus your actual tax liability. These factors change the result:

Federal and state tax withheld — More withholding usually means a larger refund (or smaller amount owed). Check Box 2 and Box 17 on your W-2.
Filing status — Single, married filing jointly, or head of household changes your standard deduction and tax brackets, which affects your refund.
Deductions — The standard deduction (2026) or itemized deductions (e.g. mortgage interest, charitable giving) reduce taxable income and can increase your refund.
Tax credits — Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits, and others can increase your refund or reduce what you owe.
Other income — Side gigs, interest, or retirement withdrawals can increase tax and reduce a refund (or increase amount owed).

Use our US Tax Calculator to see how salary and withholdings affect take-home pay, or our W-4 Assistant to adjust withholding so you get the refund you want.

When Will I Get My Tax Refund?

If you're due a tax refund, the IRS typically processes e-filed returns and issues refunds within 21 days when you choose direct deposit. Paper returns take longer—often 6–8 weeks or more. Refund timing depends on when you file and whether the return is complete and accurate.

You can track your refund with the IRS Where's My Refund? tool at IRS.gov. For 2026 filing season dates and a refund schedule, see our guide: IRS Refund Schedule 2026 — When to Expect Your Refund.

Tips to Maximize Your Refund or Avoid Owing

Check your W-4 — If you consistently owe or get a large refund, update your withholding with our W-4 Assistant so each paycheck is closer to your actual tax.
Claim credits you qualify for — Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and others can significantly increase your refund. Use the calculator above to see how dependents and income affect your estimate.
Contribute to retirement accounts — Traditional IRA or 401(k) contributions can reduce taxable income and may increase your refund. See how contributions affect taxes with our US Tax Calculator and 401(k) Match Calculator.
Keep records — Save receipts for deductions and credits so you can file accurately and avoid delays or audits.