Tax Refund vs. Amount Owed Estimator
Compare what was withheld against what's actually owed to estimate a refund or balance due.
This is an estimate for the 2026 tax year, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures are simplified and don't include every credit or deduction. Talk to a tax professional before making decisions.
$8,770
$8,762
$8
Withheld vs. owed
Refund estimate breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total federal tax owed | $8,770 |
| Total withheld over the year | $8,762 |
| Estimated amount owed | $8 |
How this is calculated
We first calculate your actual federal tax owed for the year from your salary, filing status, and state, the same way our paycheck calculator does. Then, separately, we estimate what your employer is likely withholding from each paycheck based on the details on your W-4.
Your W-4's Step 2 (multiple jobs), Step 3 (dependents credit), and Step 4 (other income, extra deductions, and extra withholding) all adjust how much comes out of each check — and none of them change the tax you actually owe.
Multiplying your estimated withholding per paycheck by your pay frequency gives your total withheld for the year. If that's more than what you actually owe, you get an estimated refund; if it's less, you have an estimated amount due.