Your income & withholding
Find on W-2 Box 2 or pay stub
Find on W-2 Box 17 or pay stub
Your estimated refund
| Total income | $75,000 |
| Federal standard deduction (SINGLE) | − $15,000 |
| Federal taxable income | $60,000 |
| Federal tax liability | $8,114 |
| Federal tax withheld | $12,000 |
| Federal refund / owed | $3,886 |
| California tax liability | $3,235 |
| California tax withheld | $4,000 |
| California refund / owed | $765 |
Tips
- •Large refund detected — consider adjusting your W-4 to increase take-home pay
- •Check your W-2 Boxes 2 and 17 for actual withheld amounts
- •State tax brackets and deductions differ from federal
Disclaimer
This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not tax advice. Results use simplified 2026 federal and state brackets and do not account for credits, deductions beyond the standard deduction, itemized deductions, multiple jobs, or your full tax situation. State tax calculations are simplified. Consult a qualified tax professional before making tax decisions.
How this is calculated
The tax refund calculator estimates both your federal and state tax liability and compares it to your withholding:
- Federal taxable income = total income − standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 MFJ, $24,150 HoH for 2026).
- Federal tax = progressive brackets applied to taxable income using 2026 rates (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
- State tax = state-specific calculation using simplified brackets or flat rates for supported states.
- Refund = withholding − tax liability. If withholding exceeds liability, you get a refund; if not, you owe.
- Effective rate = total tax ÷ total income. This shows your actual tax burden as a percentage.
Worked example: Single filer with $75,000 income, $12,000 federal withholding, $4,000 California withholding. Federal: $75,000 − $16,100 = $58,900 taxable. Federal tax ≈ $8,838. Refund: $12,000 − $8,838 = $3,162. California: $75,000 − $5,364 standard deduction = $69,636 taxable. CA tax ≈ $3,840. Refund: $4,000 − $3,840 = $160. Total refund: ~$3,322.
Sources
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 brackets)
- IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax
- Federation of Tax Administrators — State Tax Agencies
Reviewed against 2026 figures · Last updated June 11, 2026 · Written by Zhisuan
Data sources & legal references
- IRC §1 — Federal income tax rates and brackets
- IRC §63(c) — Standard deduction amounts for 2026
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 — 2026 inflation-adjusted items
- IRS Publication 17 (2026) — Your Federal Income Tax
- California FTB — State income tax brackets and standard deduction
- New York DTF — State income tax brackets and rates
- Federation of Tax Administrators — State tax agency directory
- State tax rates sourced from each state's department of revenue/taxation
Federal tax references are based on the Internal Revenue Code and IRS publications. State tax data is simplified and may not reflect all state-specific deductions and credits. For questions about this content, contact the author.
What is How to Use the State Tax Refund Calculator?
A tax refund is money returned to you when the total tax withheld from your paychecks exceeds your actual tax liability for the year. While most people focus on their federal refund, your state refund can be equally significant — and the two are calculated completely independently using different brackets, deductions, and rules. This calculator estimates both your federal and state tax refunds (or balance due) based on your income, withholding, filing status, and state of residence. It supports all 50 states, including the nine states with no income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming), flat-tax states like Illinois (4.95%), Pennsylvania (3.07%), and Michigan (4.25%), and progressive-tax states like California, New York, and New Jersey with their own bracket structures. For 2026, the federal standard deductions are $16,100 (single), $32,200 (MFJ), and $24,150 (HoH). State deductions vary widely — California offers a $5,364 standard deduction, while many flat-tax states offer none. Understanding your expected refund helps you decide whether to adjust your W-4 withholding: a large refund means you overpaid throughout the year (essentially an interest-free loan to the government), while owing money may trigger underpayment penalties if the balance exceeds $1,000.
How to Use
- Enter your total income for the year — wages, self-employment, and other taxable income.
- Enter your federal tax withheld — find this on your W-2 Box 2 or pay stub.
- Enter your state tax withheld — find this on your W-2 Box 17 or pay stub.
- Select your filing status — Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household.
- Select your state — each state has different tax brackets and deductions.
- Review your estimated federal and state refund or balance due.
Why Use This Tool?
Tips & Best Practices
- A large refund means you gave the government an interest-free loan — consider adjusting your W-4.
- If you owe money, you may need to increase withholding or make estimated tax payments.
- Nine states have no income tax: TX, FL, WA, NV, WY, AK, SD, TN, NH.
- State tax brackets and deductions differ from federal — your state refund can be very different.
- The SALT deduction cap increased to $40,400 under OBBBA 2025 — high-tax state residents benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my state refund different from my federal refund?
State and federal tax systems are completely separate. Each has different tax brackets, standard deductions, and credits. Your withholding rates also differ. It's common to get a federal refund but owe state taxes, or vice versa.
What if I live in a state with no income tax?
Nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you live in one of these states, your state tax liability is $0 and any state withholding is refunded in full.
Should I aim for a large tax refund?
A large refund means you overpaid throughout the year — essentially giving the government an interest-free loan. Financial advisors often recommend adjusting your W-4 to get closer to breaking even, so you have more take-home pay each month.
What happens if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?
If you owe taxes, you must pay by the filing deadline (usually April 15) to avoid penalties and interest. If you owe more than $1,000, you may need to increase your withholding or make estimated tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties next year.
What does this calculator NOT cover?
This calculator does not model itemized deductions (only the standard deduction is used), tax credits (child tax credit, earned income credit, education credits), the QBI deduction, the SALT deduction cap, capital gains tax, self-employment tax, AMT, or multi-state filing situations. State tax calculations use simplified brackets and may not reflect all state-specific deductions and credits. Consult a tax professional for your complete return.
Real-world Examples
Single filer in California
A single filer with $75,000 income, $12,000 federal withholding, and $4,000 California state withholding.
Income: $75,000 | Federal withheld: $12,000 | State withheld: $4,000 | Filing: Single | State: CA
Federal tax: ~$8,838 | Federal refund: ~$3,162 CA state tax: ~$3,840 | CA refund: ~$160 Total refund: ~$3,322 Effective federal rate: 11.8%
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