When to use tax software
Use guided software if you have multiple jobs, dependents, student loan interest, marketplace insurance, crypto, business income, rental income, or state returns.
📋 Tax tool
Simple Tax Refund Estimator
Run a rough federal refund estimate before choosing tax software. This is intentionally simple and educational; it is not tax advice.
Browser-only This tool runs locally in your browser. Do not enter full account numbers, SSNs, or private tax identifiers.
Estimate refund or balance due
Important: This simplified estimator uses broad 2026-style brackets and common deductions for planning only. It does not handle state taxes, AMT, self-employment tax, itemized deductions, phase-outs, or every credit.
Examples: child tax credit, education credits, EV credits.
Documents to collect
- W-2s and 1099s
- Interest and dividend forms
- Last year’s return
- Childcare and education records
- Health insurance and marketplace forms
What to compare next
FAQ
Is this tax advice?
No. It is a simplified educational estimator and does not replace IRS guidance, a tax professional, or full tax software.
Does this include state taxes?
No. It estimates only a simplified federal result.
Why compare tax software after estimating?
The estimate tells you whether your situation is simple enough for free filing or complex enough to need better guidance.