How Much Is My Refund?

Filing status Single Married filing jointly Married filing separately Head of household

Qualifying children under 17

Each needs a valid Social Security number. $2,200 credit each.

Other dependents (age 17+, or no SSN)

$500 nonrefundable credit each.

Taxpayers age 65 or older on this return NoneOneTwo (joint return)

Taxpayers who are legally blind NoneOneTwo (joint return)

Wages and salary (W-2)

Self-employment net profit (1099, gig)

Revenue minus business expenses. Adds self-employment tax and the 20% QBI deduction.

Interest, dividends and capital gains

Taxed here as ordinary income. Also used for the EITC investment income test.

Other taxable income

Unemployment, taxable retirement and Social Security, rental, etc.

Adjustments to income

HSA, traditional IRA, student loan interest, educator expenses, SEP-IRA.

State and local taxes paid (SALT)

Property plus income or sales tax. Capped at $40,400 for 2026, reduced above $505,000 income.

Mortgage interest and PMI

Cash gifts to charity

New for 2026: non-itemizers may deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint). Itemizers face a 0.5% of income floor.

Unreimbursed medical expenses

Only the portion above 7.5% of income counts.

Other itemized deductions

Qualified tips received

Up to $25,000. Customary tipped occupations only. Not available married filing separately.

Overtime premium pay (the "half" in time-and-a-half)

Up to $12,500, or $25,000 joint. Federal overtime rules only.

Interest paid on a new vehicle loan

Up to $10,000. New personal vehicle, final assembly in the U.S., loan taken after 2024.

Children for the Earned Income Credit 0123 or more

Under 19, or under 24 if a full-time student. Follows Step 1 until you change it.

Childless EITC age test Taxpayer or spouse is age 25 to 64

Required for the EITC when there are no qualifying children.

Child and dependent care expenses paid

Enhanced for 2026: credit rate up to 50%. Work-related care for a child under 13.

Qualifying persons in care OneTwo or more

Education credit NoneAmerican Opportunity (AOTC)Lifetime Learning (LLC)

Qualified education expenses

AOTC: up to $2,500 per student, 40% refundable. LLC: up to $2,000 per return.

AOTC-eligible students 1234

Federal tax withheld (W-2, 1099, retirement)

Estimated tax payments (Form 1040-ES)