2018 Federal Income Tax Brackets Calculator
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
Use this calculator to determine your federal income tax liability for 2018 based on your taxable income and filing status. The calculator applies the official 2018 tax brackets and rates to provide an accurate estimate of your tax obligation.
How to Use This Calculator
Follow these steps to calculate your 2018 federal income tax:
- Enter your total taxable income for 2018 in the "Taxable Income" field.
- Select your filing status from the dropdown menu (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household).
- Click the "Calculate" button to see your estimated federal income tax.
- Review the detailed breakdown of your tax calculation and the tax bracket you fall into.
The calculator will display your total tax liability, the tax bracket you're in, and a visual representation of how your income is taxed.
2018 Federal Income Tax Brackets
The 2018 federal income tax brackets vary by filing status. Here are the standard rates and brackets for each status:
The tax brackets are progressive, meaning higher income levels are taxed at higher rates. The standard deduction amounts for 2018 were $6,350 for single filers, $12,700 for married filing jointly, $6,350 for married filing separately, and $9,350 for head of household.
Single Filers
| Taxable Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $9,525 | 10% |
| $9,526 - $38,700 | 12% |
| $38,701 - $82,500 | 22% |
| $82,501 - $157,500 | 24% |
| $157,501 - $200,000 | 32% |
| $200,001 - $500,000 | 35% |
| $500,001+ | 37% |
Married Filing Jointly
| Taxable Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $19,050 | 10% |
| $19,051 - $77,400 | 12% |
| $77,401 - $165,000 | 22% |
| $165,001 - $315,000 | 24% |
| $315,001 - $400,000 | 32% |
| $400,001 - $600,000 | 35% |
| $600,001+ | 37% |
Married Filing Separately
| Taxable Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $9,525 | 10% |
| $9,526 - $38,700 | 12% |
| $38,701 - $82,500 | 22% |
| $82,501 - $157,500 | 24% |
| $157,501 - $200,000 | 32% |
| $200,001 - $300,000 | 35% |
| $300,001+ | 37% |
Head of Household
| Taxable Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $13,600 | 10% |
| $13,601 - $51,800 | 12% |
| $51,801 - $82,500 | 22% |
| $82,501 - $157,500 | 24% |
| $157,501 - $200,000 | 32% |
| $200,001 - $500,000 | 35% |
| $500,001+ | 37% |
How the Tax Calculation Works
The federal income tax is calculated using a progressive tax system where different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. The calculator applies the following steps:
- Determine your taxable income by subtracting any deductions from your total income.
- Apply the tax brackets for your filing status to calculate the tax owed on each portion of your income.
- Sum the taxes from all brackets to get your total federal income tax liability.
For example, if you're a single filer with $50,000 in taxable income:
- $9,525 × 10% = $952.50
- ($50,000 - $9,525) × 12% = $4,860.60
- Total tax = $952.50 + $4,860.60 = $5,813.10
Worked Examples
Example 1: Single Filer with $30,000 Income
Taxable Income: $30,000
Filing Status: Single
Calculation:
- $9,525 × 10% = $952.50
- ($30,000 - $9,525) × 12% = $2,280.90
- Total tax = $952.50 + $2,280.90 = $3,233.40
You would owe $3,233.40 in federal income tax for 2018.
Example 2: Married Filing Jointly with $100,000 Income
Taxable Income: $100,000
Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly
Calculation:
- $19,050 × 10% = $1,905.00
- ($77,400 - $19,050) × 12% = $6,648.00
- ($100,000 - $77,400) × 22% = $4,908.00
- Total tax = $1,905.00 + $6,648.00 + $4,908.00 = $13,461.00
You would owe $13,461.00 in federal income tax for 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between taxable income and gross income?
Taxable income is your gross income minus any deductions or exemptions that reduce your taxable amount. Gross income includes all income from wages, investments, and other sources before any deductions.
How do I calculate my taxable income?
Subtract your deductions (such as the standard deduction or itemized deductions) from your gross income to calculate your taxable income. The standard deduction amounts for 2018 were $6,350 for single filers, $12,700 for married filing jointly, $6,350 for married filing separately, and $9,350 for head of household.
What happens if my income exceeds the highest tax bracket?
If your income exceeds the highest tax bracket, the additional amount is taxed at the highest marginal rate. For example, in 2018, the highest marginal rate was 37% for incomes over $500,000 for single filers and $600,000 for married filing jointly.
Are there any exemptions or credits that can reduce my tax liability?
Yes, there are various tax exemptions and credits that can reduce your tax liability. Common exemptions include the standard deduction and personal exemptions. Tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe, while deductions reduce your taxable income. Examples include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit.