Top Free Online Tax Calculators

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William Perez is a former tax expert for The Balance and The Balance Small Business. He worked for the IRS and holds an enrolled agent certification.
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William Perez
Updated November 20, 2019

The Internal Revenue Service website, along with various other websites, offers free tax calculators and other tax tools that can help you prepare your tax returns. The calculators can also help you plan for next year and help you analyze your paycheck. The following tax calculators have been tested based on the following criteria:

  • Are the calculations accurate?
  • Is the calculator easy to use?
  • Is the calculator free?

Each of the tax calculators does something different. All the tax calculators are highly recommended and the best part is that all of them are free. Because income and taxes vary so much from individual to individual, it's advisable to look at all options before choosing the one that best suits your needs.

AMT Assistant

Calculating finances
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The AMT Assistant helps taxpayers determine whether or not they may be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax by automating the AMT Worksheet of the 1040 Instructions, called the "Worksheet to See if You Should Fill in Form 6251." The Internal Revenue Service estimates that most taxpayers can make entries and get an answer in five to 10 minutes when they use this new application. The tax calculator is from the IRS.

Earned Income Credit Assistant

This lets you determine if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Your eligibility is dependent on several factors such as your filing status, income level, and the number of qualifying children you have. This tool not only determines your eligibility, but it will also determine your filing status, the number of your qualifying children, and your estimated credit amount. The tax calculator is from the IRS.

Withholding Calculator

The purpose of this calculator is to help employees make sure that they do not have too much or too little income tax withheld from their paychecks. This option is not a replacement for Form W-4, but most people will find it more accurate and easier to use than the worksheets that accompany Form W-4. You may use the results of this program to help you complete a new Form W-4, which you will then submit to your employer. The tax calculator is from the IRS.

Online EIN (Employer Identification Number)

An Employer Identification Number (or EIN) is a nine-digit number that the Internal Revenue Service assigns to business entities. The IRS uses this number to identify taxpayers that are required to file various business tax returns. EINs are used by employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations, trusts and estates, government agencies, certain individuals, and other business entities. This is an online version of Form SS-4. The tax calculator is from the IRS.

Paycheck Calculator

This is a very useful paycheck calculator if you want to make sure that your tax withholding and net pay are accurate. You can use the calculator to estimate your net pay if you are starting a new job, or if you want to verify the calculations being made on your paycheck. A key feature of this tax calculator is that it includes state withholding calculations. The tax calculator is from PaycheckCity.com