Tax Clarity Lab

2026 Tax Planner

Estimate federal tax before tax time.

W-2 + one Schedule C activity

See what you may owe before tax time

The planner turns wage, business, withholding, and estimated-payment totals into a bounded 2026 federal estimate. It is designed for an early planning conversation—not tax-return preparation or filing.

How it works

1

Enter the essentials

Add filing status, combined W-2 boxes, federal payments, Schedule C income, and expenses.

2

Calculate once complete

The estimate stays locked until every required amount has a valid answer, including $0 where something does not apply.

3

Review the result

See the estimated balance or refund first, then review tax totals and how the estimate was calculated.

This planner is a good fit when

  • • You are planning for tax year 2026.
  • • The estimate combines W-2 income and one Schedule C activity.
  • • The standard deduction is appropriate for the estimate.
  • • You want a directional federal estimate before filing.

Use another method when you need

  • • State or local tax calculations
  • • Itemized deductions, dependents, or investment income
  • • QBI or other complex tax situations
  • • Tax-return preparation, filing, or professional advice

Included in the planner

  • W-2 plus one Schedule C activity
  • Estimated AGI and federal tax
  • Estimated balance due or refund
  • Plain-language calculation breakdown
  • Browser-only storage
  • No account required

Private by default

Plans are saved only in the browser on the device where you create them. No account is required, and tax numbers are not uploaded to an account.

Start a 2026 tax plan