Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate
Your marginal tax rate is the rate on your last dollar of income — the bracket you're 'in.' Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, and it's always lower because your earlier dollars were taxed in lower brackets. Being in the 22% bracket does not mean you pay 22% on everything.
The distinction matters for decisions: a deduction saves you tax at your marginal rate, while your effective rate tells you the real share of income you actually pay. In 2026 a single filer in the 22% bracket typically has an effective federal rate well under 15%.
Put it to work
Federal Income Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 federal income tax: total tax, effective and marginal rates, and a bracket-by-bracket breakdown using official IRS figures.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
See your actual paycheck after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, 401(k), health premiums, and state tax — per paycheck and per year (2026 figures).