How your 2026 tax refund is calculated
- Add up your income for the year: wages plus other taxable income, minus pre-tax adjustments. That’s your adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Subtract your deduction. For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household.
- Apply the tax brackets to what’s left (taxable income). Each rate only applies to the slice of income inside that bracket.
- Subtract credits. The Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child under 17, and up to $1,700 of it is refundable even if you owe no tax.
- Compare with what you already paid. If the tax withheld from your paychecks is more than your tax, the difference is your refund. If it’s less, you owe the rest.
2026 standard deduction
| Filing status | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Single / married filing separately | $16,100 | $15,750 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 | $31,500 |
| Head of household | $24,150 | $23,625 |
2026 federal tax brackets (single)
| Tax rate | Taxable income (single) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,776 – $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,226 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 |
Married, head-of-household and married-filing-separately brackets are in our 2026 tax brackets guide.
Child Tax Credit 2026
- $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 at the end of 2026, with a valid Social Security number.
- Up to $1,700 per child is refundable (the Additional Child Tax Credit), worked out as 15% of earned income above $2,500.
- $500 credit for other dependents, such as a 17-year-old, a college student or a parent you support.
- The credits shrink by $50 for every $1,000 of income above $200,000 ($400,000 if married filing jointly).
Why your refund may be smaller (or bigger) than this estimate
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): lower-income workers, especially with children, may get a much larger refund. Check the IRS EITC Assistant.
- Self-employment: 1099 income also carries 15.3% self-employment tax, which this calculator leaves out.
- State income tax is separate. Nine states have no wage income tax.
- Withholding changes: a new job, a bonus or a W-4 change during the year all change Box 2.
Tax Refund Calculator 2026 FAQs
When can I file my 2026 taxes?
Returns for tax year 2026 are filed in early 2027. The IRS usually opens e-filing in late January, and the regular deadline is April 15, 2027.
How long does a tax refund take?
The IRS says most e-filed returns with direct deposit are refunded within 21 days. Returns that claim the EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit cannot be refunded before mid-February by law.
Is the Child Tax Credit $2,000 or $2,200?
For tax years 2025 and 2026 it is $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,700 refundable. It was $2,000 for 2024.
Do I get a refund if I didn’t have tax withheld?
Only if you qualify for refundable credits, such as the refundable part of the Child Tax Credit or the EITC. Otherwise there is nothing to refund.
What tax bracket am I in?
Your bracket is the highest rate your taxable income reaches. A single filer with $43,900 of taxable income is in the 12% bracket, but most of that income is taxed at 10% and 12%, so the effective rate is much lower.