Is this an actual tax return?

No. This is a rough estimator for educational purposes only. It uses the standard deduction, basic Child Tax Credit, and current federal + state brackets. It does NOT model itemized deductions, the QBI deduction, AMT, EITC, education credits, self-employment income, capital gains preferences, or many other tax situations. Use a CPA or tax software (TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA) for your actual return.

Why does the estimate differ from my actual refund?

Many possible reasons: itemized deductions, additional income (1099s, capital gains, dividends), credits the estimator doesn't model (EITC, AOTC, saver's credit, dependent care), state-specific deductions, AMT, or simply rounding. This calculator is a directional sanity check, not a tax return.

Can I rely on this for my actual tax planning?

No. Tax law is complex and changes annually. For real tax planning (withholding adjustments, estimated payments, large-deduction strategies, retirement-vs-Roth decisions, capital-gain harvesting), consult a qualified tax professional. We are not tax advisors and cannot be held responsible for tax outcomes based on this tool.

Tax Return Estimator

Free tax return estimator. Plug in wages, withholdings, pre-tax retirement contributions, HSA, and dependents to estimate your federal and state refund or balance due. Not a substitute for professional tax preparation.

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