Federal Income Tax Calculator – Married Filing Jointly

Estimate your U.S. federal income tax as a married couple filing jointly. Get your taxable income, total tax, marginal rate, effective rate, and a full bracket-by-bracket breakdown.

Married Filing Jointly Tax Estimator

Brackets and standard deduction update automatically.

Wages, salaries, bonuses, self-employment, and other taxable income for both spouses.

Adjustments & pre-tax deductions (optional)
Deductions
Standard deduction for married filing jointly (2024): $29,200

For a rough estimate, you can enter child tax credit, education credits, etc. here.

Results

Adjusted gross income (AGI)
$120,000
Taxable income
$90,800
Estimated federal tax
$10,000
After-tax income
$110,000
Marginal tax rate
22%
Effective tax rate
8.3%

Bracket breakdown

How this married filing jointly tax calculator works

This tool estimates your U.S. federal income tax as a married couple filing a joint return. It uses the official IRS tax brackets and the standard deduction for the selected year, and applies the progressive tax system to your taxable income.

Step-by-step calculation

  1. Start with combined gross income. Add up wages, salaries, bonuses, self-employment income, and other taxable income for both spouses.
  2. Subtract pre-tax deductions and adjustments. This includes retirement contributions, HSA/FSA contributions, and other above-the-line adjustments to estimate your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
  3. Subtract the larger of standard or itemized deductions. For most couples, the standard deduction is used unless itemized deductions are higher.
  4. Apply the tax brackets. Your taxable income is split across the IRS brackets for married filing jointly. Each slice is taxed at its bracket rate.
  5. Subtract non-refundable credits (optional). Credits reduce your tax dollar-for-dollar, but not below zero.

Core formulas

AGI = Gross income − Pre-tax deductions − Adjustments

Taxable income = max(0, AGI − Deduction)

Total tax = Sum of tax on each bracket slice − Credits (not below 0)

Effective tax rate = Total tax ÷ Gross income

Current standard deduction for married filing jointly

The calculator automatically updates the standard deduction when you change the tax year. For married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction is roughly double the single filer amount.

Understanding marginal vs. effective tax rate

  • Marginal tax rate – the rate that applies to your last dollar of taxable income (your top bracket).
  • Effective tax rate – your total tax divided by your total income. This is your overall average rate.

Because the U.S. tax system is progressive, only the income in each bracket is taxed at that bracket’s rate. The bracket breakdown panel shows exactly how much of your income falls into each bracket and how much tax is paid there.

Limitations and what’s not included

This calculator is designed as an educational planning tool. It does not currently handle:

  • Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
  • Self-employment tax (Social Security & Medicare on business income)
  • Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
  • Phase-outs of certain deductions and credits
  • Detailed capital gains and qualified dividend rate schedules
  • State or local income taxes

For filing your actual return, always refer to the latest IRS instructions and consider consulting a qualified tax professional.

FAQ

Who should choose married filing jointly?

Most married couples benefit from filing a joint return because:

  • The standard deduction is higher than for married filing separately.
  • Tax brackets are generally more favorable.
  • Many credits and deductions are reduced or unavailable if you file separately.

Can I use this if I have significant investment income?

Yes, but treat the result as a rough estimate. The calculator treats all income as if it were taxed at ordinary income rates. In reality, long-term capital gains and qualified dividends may be taxed at preferential rates, and high-income households may owe additional surtaxes.

How can I lower my federal income tax as a married couple?

  • Increase pre-tax retirement contributions (401(k), 403(b), traditional IRA if eligible).
  • Use HSA contributions if you have a high-deductible health plan.
  • Track deductible expenses if you are close to or above the standard deduction.
  • Consider the timing of income and deductions (e.g., bunching charitable contributions).

Does this calculator store or send my data?

No. All calculations run directly in your browser. The numbers you enter are not sent to a server or saved by this tool.