Frequently Asked Questions

All data comes directly from official IRS sources: Revenue Procedures for inflation-adjusted tax brackets, Publication 501 for standard deductions, Publication 550 for capital gains rates, annual IRS announcements for contribution limits, and Publications 596 and 972 for EITC and CTC parameters.

For tax year 2025, federal income tax brackets range from 10% to 37%. The IRS adjusts bracket thresholds annually for inflation. Visit our Tax Brackets page for the current single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of household bracket tables.

For tax year 2025, the standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and married filing separately, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. These amounts are adjusted annually by the IRS for inflation. Taxpayers aged 65 or older and blind taxpayers receive additional deduction amounts.

The tax estimator calculates a simplified federal income tax estimate based on your gross income, filing status, and deductions. It applies marginal bracket rates, accounts for the standard or itemized deduction, and deducts any applicable credits. It is a simplified estimate — it does not account for all deductions, phase-outs, AMT, self-employment tax, or state taxes.

The EITC is a refundable federal tax credit for workers with low to moderate income, particularly those with children. The credit amount depends on your income, filing status, and number of qualifying children. For 2025, the maximum credit ranges from $649 (no children) to over $7,000 (three or more children).

A tax deduction reduces your taxable income, saving you the deduction amount multiplied by your marginal rate. A tax credit reduces your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. A $1,000 deduction saves someone in the 22% bracket $220; a $1,000 credit saves exactly $1,000 regardless of your bracket.

For 2025, the 401(k) elective deferral limit is $23,500 for employees under age 50. Workers aged 50 and over can contribute an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution, for a total of $31,000. The overall limit including employer contributions is $70,000.

No. PlainTaxData is an informational reference site — it provides tax bracket tables, parameter lookups, and simplified estimates. It is not a substitute for tax preparation software (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) or a qualified tax professional. For filing your actual tax return, use IRS Free File or commercial software.