Marriage Tax Calculator
Compare federal income tax filing jointly versus single to see your marriage penalty or bonus. Based on the 2024 federal brackets.
Independently verified for accuracy
Calculator by Toolsloft ↗- Tax filing jointly
- 10432
- Tax filing as two singles
- 10432
- Difference
- 0
See whether marrying raises or lowers a couple's federal income tax by comparing a joint return against each partner filing single. When two incomes are far apart you usually get a marriage bonus; when they are similar and high you can hit a marriage penalty. Figures use the 2024 federal brackets and standard deduction.
How this is calculated
It computes tax two ways on the 2024 federal model: filing jointly on combined income less the married standard deduction ($29,200), and each partner filing single with the single deduction ($14,600). The difference between the two totals is the penalty or bonus. This is an estimate, federal only, and not tax advice; it excludes state tax, credits, and itemized deductions.
How to use
- Enter the first partner's annual income.
- Enter the second partner's annual income.
- Read the joint tax, the combined single tax, and whether marriage is a penalty or a bonus.
Examples
- $60,000 and $60,000:
no difference - $200,000 and $20,000:
bonus of $5,996.50
FAQ
- What is a marriage penalty?
- It is when a married couple owes more filing jointly than they would as two single filers. It tends to hit couples with two similar, higher incomes because joint brackets are not always double the single brackets at the top.
- What is a marriage bonus?
- When marrying lowers the couple's total tax. It is common when one partner earns much more than the other, since joint filing spreads income across wider brackets.
- Is this exact for my situation?
- No. It is a federal estimate using the standard deduction and 2024 brackets. State tax, credits, itemized deductions, and other income can change the result. Treat it as a guide, not tax advice.