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
What is How to Use the State Tax Refund Calculator?
A tax refund is money returned to you when you've had more tax withheld from your paychecks than you actually owe. This calculator estimates both your federal and state tax refunds (or balance due) based on your income, withholding, and state of residence.
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.