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2026 taxes, filed in early 2027

Tax refund estimator

See roughly how big your refund will be, or whether you'll owe. Includes the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the new deductions for tips, overtime and seniors.

Your household

Filing status
Who lived with you more than half the year.
Like a 17-year-old, a college student or a parent you support.

Your income for 2026

Your pay stub's "year to date" numbers help. Estimate the rest of the year.

Before taxes, including tips and overtime.
Traditional 401(k), health insurance and HSA.
"Federal income tax" on your pay stub, for the whole year.
Tips, overtime and other income
Up to $25,000 can be deducted.
Only the extra half of time-and-a-half. Your W-2 should show it.
Interest, unemployment benefits.
Savings and car loan
401(k) plus IRA, for the Saver's Credit.
Only for a new car assembled in the U.S., bought in 2025 or later.
Of your other dependents: children under 19, or students under 24, who lived with you.
Estimated refund$0See details

How your refund is figured

Your refund is the federal tax already taken out of your paychecks, plus any refundable credits, minus the tax you actually owe for the year. If more came out than you owe, the IRS sends back the difference.

The Earned Income Tax Credit

For 2026, the EITC is worth up to $664 with no children, $4,427 with one child, $7,316 with two and $8,231 with three or more. It's refundable, so you get it even if you owe no tax. Many people who qualify never claim it.

The Child Tax Credit

It's $2,200 for each child under 17. Up to $1,700 per child can come back as a refund once you earn more than $2,500, at 15 cents for every dollar over that amount.

New deductions for tips, overtime and seniors

Starting with 2025 returns, you can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips, up to $12,500 of overtime premium pay ($25,000 if married filing jointly), and an extra $6,000 if you're 65 or older. You get these even if you take the standard deduction. Higher incomes get less.

File for free

If your income is moderate, you may be able to file for free through IRS Free File, or get free help from a VITA site run by trained volunteers. Search "IRS Free File" or "VITA near me" before paying a tax preparer, and be careful with refund advance loans that charge fees.

Sources

Last checked October 2026. Amounts change every year.