Rough Federal Refund Estimate for Simple W-2 Returns

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This is a rough estimate for simple W-2 situations, not a promise or a guarantee. Your actual refund depends on your full return. iAlph Tax's fee never depends on your refund.

Tax year

2026 (filed in 2027) 2025 (filed in 2026)

Filing status Single Married filing jointly Married filing separately Head of household Qualifying surviving spouse

W-2 wages (box 1 of all your W-2s, added up)

Federal income tax withheld (box 2 of all your W-2s)

Children under 17 at the end of the year, with a Social Security number valid for work

Other dependents (older children, parents or relatives you can claim)

Not included: the earned income credit, self-employment or other income, itemized deductions, the extra deductions for age 65 or older, blindness, tips or overtime, education and child care credits, and other credits. Any of these can change the result a lot.

This is a rough estimate for simple W-2 situations, not a promise or a guarantee. Your actual refund depends on your full return. iAlph Tax's fee never depends on your refund.

What this estimate does and doesn't do

It takes your W-2 wages, subtracts the standard deduction, figures the tax with the federal tax brackets, applies the child tax credit and the credit for other dependents (including the refundable part), and compares the result to what was withheld. It's meant to show whether you're roughly on track, not what you'll get back.

Most real returns have something this tool leaves out. That's why the result is a range, and why the only number that counts is the one on your finished return.

General information only. Alph Coleman, owner, is a PTIN holder and Authorized IRS e-file Provider, not a CPA, attorney or Enrolled Agent. Your situation is confirmed when we prepare your return.

Questions about your situation?

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Official sources: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (tax year 2026) ↗ · Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (tax year 2025) ↗ · Form 1040 instructions (tax year 2025) ↗ · Schedule 8812 (tax year 2025) ↗ · Schedule 8812 draft (tax year 2026) ↗

Figures checked on irs.gov in October 2026. General information only, not tax advice for your situation. Your situation is confirmed when we prepare your return.

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Rough federal refund estimate

What this estimate does and doesn't do

Questions about your situation?