Filing Status Tax Comparison (2026)
Your filing status can change your tax by thousands of dollars. See your 2026 federal tax under all four statuses with the official brackets and standard deductions.
How to use this calculator
- Enter gross (adjusted gross) income.
- Your results appear instantly below and update as you change the numbers.
How this calculator works
The calculator subtracts each status's 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single/MFS, $32,200 joint, $24,150 head of household) from your income and applies the official brackets for that status. Worked example: $100,000 of income — single pays about $13,170, head of household about $9,588, and married filing jointly about $7,640; the spread between statuses is real money.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose whichever status is cheapest?
No — your status is set by your situation. Married couples must file jointly or separately (MFS both spouses, and it almost always costs more). Head of household requires you to be unmarried and pay more than half the cost of a home for a qualifying dependent. Single is everyone else. Knowing the rules lets you plan around them, not pick them freely.
When is married filing separately ever better?
Rarely, but it exists: when one spouse has large medical expenses, student loan payments on an income-driven plan, or state-tax issues — or to keep a spouse's income off a joint return for legal reasons. The trade-off is that both spouses must use MFS, and most credits and deductions phase out at half the joint thresholds.
What makes head of household so much cheaper?
Two things: a $24,150 standard deduction (vs $16,100) and wider low brackets — the 12% band runs to $67,450 instead of $50,400. For a single parent, that combination is often worth $2,000+ a year versus filing single.
Is this really the whole tax picture?
No — this compares the regular income tax only. Credits (child tax credit, EITC, saver's credit), the alternative minimum tax, and state taxes also differ by status. Use this for the bracket math, then layer on your credits with the individual calculators.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for general information only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect 2026 rules and may change. Always confirm current limits and consult a qualified professional before making decisions. Official figures: IRS.gov · 2026 limits per IRS tax inflation adjustments.