Tax Withholding Estimator

Check if you are withholding enough taxes. See if you will owe or get a refund at year-end.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS Publication 505 (2026), Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

$
$
$
$
$

Under-Withheld

$470.00

Projected Withholding

$7,200.00

Estimated Tax

$7,670.00

Withholding Analysis

Total Annual Income$75,000.00
Federal Taxable Income$58,900.00
Estimated Federal Tax$7,670.00
Federal Withholding YTD$6,000.00
Projected Annual Withholding$7,200.00
Projected Amount Owed$470.00

Paycheck Adjustment

Current Monthly Withholding$600.00
Remaining Paychecks (biweekly)4
Needed Per Paycheck$417.50
Increase Per Paycheck$140.58
Penalty safe harbor (90% of this year or 100%/110% of last year)Met

Use the Tax Withholding Estimator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

The question every paycheck quietly raises is whether enough tax is coming out, and getting it wrong cuts both ways. Withhold too little and a bill lands at filing time; withhold too much and you have handed the government an interest-free loan all year. Checking where you stand puts you back in control of that balance.

The estimate takes your expected income for 2026, any additional income and any deductions beyond the standard deduction, and runs them through the 2026 tax brackets after the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, $24,150 for heads of household). It projects your withholding for the full year by extending your pace so far (withholding to date ÷ months elapsed × 12) and compares that with the tax. Credits such as the Child Tax Credit are not included, so if you claim them, your real bill is lower than the estimate shows.

Treat the result as a projection, not a verdict, because a new job, a marriage, or a new child can swing your tax picture sharply. The usual traps are leaving the W-4 untouched after a major life event and assuming last year's withholding still fits. Checking in periodically, especially when your income rises and falls, is what heads off the year-end surprise.

Example: Single Individual, No Dependents

  1. 1 Input: single, expected 2026 income of $75,000, no other income or extra deductions. At the end of August (8 months elapsed) your pay stubs show $6,000 of federal withholding so far.
  2. 2 Tax: $75,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $58,900 of taxable income. 10% of $12,400 ($1,240) + 12% of $38,000 ($4,560) + 22% of $8,500 ($1,870) = $7,670 of estimated federal income tax.
  3. 3 Projected withholding: $6,000 ÷ 8 months × 12 = $9,000 for the year. $9,000 − $7,670 = a projected refund of $1,330, and the safe-harbor line shows Met.
  4. 4 Paycheck adjustment: you still need $7,670 − $6,000 = $1,670 over the remaining 9 biweekly paychecks, or $185.56 each, against the $346.15 you are having withheld now. A new Form W-4 could cut withholding by about $160.60 per paycheck and still cover the tax; leaving it as is simply means a larger refund.

Source: IRS Publication 505 (2026), Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am withholding enough taxes?
Compare your year-to-date withholding (from your latest pay stub) to your estimated annual tax liability. If your withholding is on pace to fall short by $1,000 or more, you could face an underpayment penalty.
What happens if I do not withhold enough taxes?
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty if you owe $1,000 or more at filing time and did not pay at least 90% of the current year tax or 100% of last year tax (110% if AGI exceeds $150,000). The penalty rate tracks the federal short-term rate plus 3%.
How do I fix my withholding mid-year?
Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to determine the right amount. You can request additional flat-dollar withholding per paycheck on Line 4(c) of the W-4 to catch up.

You might also need

Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026 — Free IRS Tax Estimator

Calculate your 2026 federal income tax, bracket, effective rate, FICA, and take-home pay. Free, instant results based on official IRS rates and brackets.

Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026 — Short & Long-Term Rates

Calculate short-term and long-term capital gains tax on stocks, real estate, and investments. Includes NIIT. Free, instant results based on 2026 IRS brackets.

Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026

Calculate your Child Tax Credit and Other Dependent Credit. See phase-out thresholds and net credit amount for your income.