US Tax Refund Calculator
Check if the IRS owes you money. Many people overpay taxes due to incorrect W-4 withholdings or unclaimed credits and deductions.
Your Tax Refund Estimate
Based on 22% marginal rate
Your Tax Situation
Estimate your 2025 tax refund
Box 2 on your W-2. Leave at 0 to estimate.
Pre-tax retirement contributions
$2,000 Child Tax Credit per child
Deductible up to $2,500
Common Reasons for Tax Refunds
Overwithholding
If your W-4 is set to withhold too much, you'll get a refund but you're essentially giving the IRS an interest-free loan. Consider adjusting your W-4 for larger paychecks instead.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC is a refundable credit worth up to $7,430 for low-to-moderate income workers. It's especially valuable for families with children and can result in a significant refund.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child, with up to $1,700 refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit. This can significantly increase your refund.
Deductions & Adjustments
Student loan interest, retirement contributions (Traditional IRA/401k), HSA contributions, and itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state taxes, charity) can all reduce your tax bill.
How to Get Your Refund
File your federal tax return (Form 1040) by April 15th to claim your refund. E-file with direct deposit is the fastest way - most refunds arrive within 21 days. You can file free through IRS Free File if your income is under $79,000.
Check Your Refund Status
Track your refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount.
Optimize Your Withholding
Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to check if your W-4 is set correctly. Ideally, you want minimal refund or tax owed - a large refund means you could have had that money throughout the year instead.