Refund calculator

Four inputs, a rough answer. This uses 2025 federal brackets and the standard deduction to estimate whether you're getting money back or writing a check. It updates as you type.

Filing status

Gross annual income — wages, before deductions

Federal tax withheld — box 2 of your W-2

Above-the-line adjustments — IRA, HSA, student loan interest

Federal only. We apply the standard deduction for your status — no itemizing, credits or state tax in this quick pass.

Estimated federal refund

Adjust the numbers to see where you land.

Taxable income$0

Estimated tax$0

Already withheld$0

Effective tax rate0%

This is an estimate, not your return. Real returns involve credits, multiple income types, state tax and dozens of edge cases this tool skips. Treat the number as a directional check, then file with TurboTax, another tool or a pro for the real figure — and see our TurboTax review first.

Reading the result

What the number is telling you

A big refund isn't a win

It means you lent the government money interest-free all year. A refund near zero usually means your withholding is dialed in. If yours is huge, adjust your W-4.

Owing a little is fine

Coming up short by a few hundred dollars often beats over-withholding. Owe a lot, though, and you may face an underpayment penalty next year.

Adjustments lower the bill

Watch the refund move when you add IRA or HSA contributions in the third field. That's the standard-deduction filer's lever, live.