How the estimate works
The calculator figures your 2026 federal return the way Form 1040 does: wages plus other income, minus the standard deduction and the new Schedule 1-A deductions, taxed at the 2026 brackets. Then it applies the child tax credit, the credit for other dependents and the earned income credit, and compares the result with the tax already withheld from your pay.
A positive result is your refund. A negative one is what you'd owe when you file.
Child tax credit for 2026
- Up to $2,200 per child under 17 at the end of the year. The child needs a Social Security number, and so do you, or at least one spouse on a joint return.
- Up to $1,700 per child is refundable as the additional child tax credit, limited to 15% of earned income above $2,500.
- Phases out by $50 for each $1,000 of income above $200,000, or $400,000 on a joint return.
- Other dependents, such as older children or a parent you support, can bring a $500 credit that isn't refundable.
Earned income credit for 2026
| Children | Maximum credit | Ends at (single) | Ends at (joint) |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | $664 | $19,540 | $26,820 |
| One | $4,427 | $51,593 | $58,863 |
| Two | $7,316 | $58,629 | $65,899 |
| Three or more | $8,231 | $62,974 | $70,244 |
Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Qualifying children for this credit are under 19, or under 24 if a full-time student, and live with you more than half the year. Workers without children generally must be 25 to 64, and investment income must be $12,200 or less. Married filing separately can claim it only under special rules for separated spouses, which this calculator doesn't model.
What the new deductions do to your refund
No tax on overtime, no tax on tips, the $6,000 senior deduction and the car loan interest deduction don't change your paycheck withholding. They lower the tax on your return, so the saving shows up in the refund. The line "New deductions add" shows exactly how much. Each has its own calculator and guide, such as the senior phase-out and which cars qualify: overtime, tips, seniors and car loan interest.
When refunds arrive
Estimate your date and find every official tracker on Where's my refund? The IRS issues most e-filed refunds with direct deposit within 21 days. By law, refunds that include the earned income credit or the additional child tax credit can't be released before mid-February, even if you file in January.
What the estimate leaves out
Itemized deductions, education and childcare credits, self-employment tax, state taxes, and the alternative method for the additional child tax credit for families with three or more children. Treat the result as an estimate. See how we calculate.
Updated November 4, 2026. Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 and 2025-32, Internal Revenue Code §§24 and 32, 2025 Schedule 1-A.