2018 Usa Federal Tax Calculator
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
Calculate your 2018 USA federal taxes with this comprehensive tax calculator. Whether you're filing as single, married filing jointly, head of household, or married filing separately, this tool will help you estimate your tax liability based on your income and deductions.
How to Use This Calculator
Using this calculator is simple:
- Enter your total taxable income for 2018
- Select your filing status
- Choose whether to use the standard deduction or itemized deduction
- Enter any additional deductions or credits if applicable
- Click "Calculate" to see your estimated tax liability
The calculator will show you your federal income tax, taxable income, and effective tax rate. You can also view a breakdown of how your income is taxed in different brackets.
2018 Tax Brackets
The 2018 federal income tax rates were as follows:
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 - $9,525 | $0 - $19,050 | $0 - $9,525 | $0 - $13,600 |
| 12% | $9,526 - $38,700 | $19,051 - $77,400 | $9,526 - $38,700 | $13,601 - $51,800 |
| 22% | $38,701 - $82,500 | $77,401 - $165,000 | $38,701 - $82,500 | $51,801 - $82,500 |
| 24% | $82,501 - $157,500 | $165,001 - $315,000 | $82,501 - $157,500 | $82,501 - $157,500 |
| 32% | $157,501 - $200,000 | $315,001 - $400,000 | $157,501 - $200,000 | $157,501 - $200,000 |
| 35% | $200,001 - $500,000 | $400,001 - $600,000 | $200,001 - $300,000 | $200,001 - $500,000 |
| 37% | $500,001+ | $600,001+ | $300,001+ | $500,001+ |
These rates apply to taxable income after deductions. The brackets are progressive, meaning higher incomes are taxed at higher rates.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction for 2018 was:
- Single: $6,350
- Married Filing Jointly: $12,700
- Married Filing Separately: $6,350
- Head of Household: $9,350
Using the standard deduction means you subtract this amount from your total income to calculate your taxable income. This is often simpler than itemizing deductions.
Itemized Deduction
If you choose to itemize your deductions, you can subtract eligible expenses from your income. Common itemized deductions include:
- Mortgage interest
- State and local taxes
- Medical expenses
- Charitable donations
- Casualty or theft losses
The itemized deduction is only beneficial if your total deductions exceed the standard deduction. Otherwise, you should use the standard deduction.
Tax Credits
Tax credits directly reduce your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. Common 2018 tax credits included:
- Child Tax Credit: $2,000 per qualifying child
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Up to $6,333 for low- to moderate-income workers
- American Opportunity Credit: Up to $2,500 per student
- Lifetime Learning Credit: Up to $2,000 per student
Tax credits can significantly reduce your tax bill, especially for families with children or students.
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the federal tax for a single filer with $50,000 income using the standard deduction.
- Total income: $50,000
- Standard deduction: $6,350
- Taxable income: $50,000 - $6,350 = $43,650
- Tax calculation:
- $9,525 × 10% = $952.50
- ($38,700 - $9,525) × 12% = $3,242.40
- ($43,650 - $38,700) × 22% = $1,225.80
- Total tax: $952.50 + $3,242.40 + $1,225.80 = $5,420.70
This filer would owe approximately $5,420.70 in federal income tax for 2018.