Tax Credits Calculator

Inputs

Enter your figures, tune credit parameters, then submit to see net tax, refund, and credit utilization.

Tax year *

Filing status *

AGI / income for phaseouts

Taxable income

Tax liability before credits *

Withholding

Estimated payments

Enable phaseouts

Phaseout start

Phaseout end

Dependents and family credits

Children under 17

Other dependents

Credit per child (configurable)

Child credit refundable cap (optional)

Set 0 if your scenario is nonrefundable.

Credit per other dependent

Education, retirement, and care credits

Education expenses

Education credit rate

Education credit cap

Retirement contributions

Retirement credit rate

Retirement credit cap

Child/dependent care expenses

Care credit rate

Care credit cap

Other credits and add-ons

Home energy improvements

Energy credit rate

Energy credit cap

Foreign tax paid

Foreign tax credit cap (0 = none)

EV credit (enter amount)

Adoption expenses

Adoption credit cap (0 = none)

Other nonrefundable credits

Other refundable credits

Reset

Example data table

Scenario	AGI	Liability	Nonrefundable	Refundable	Payments	Net tax	Refund
Sample A	60,000	5,200	2,900	0	4,800	2,300	2,500
Sample B	110,000	12,400	1,650	300	11,500	10,750	1,050
Sample C	45,000	1,100	1,800	0	600	0	600

These examples are illustrative; your results depend on your inputs and local rules.

Formula used

Per-credit estimate: Base = Quantity × Rate, then apply any caps.
Phaseout (optional): if AGI is between start and end, we reduce linearly: Adjusted = Base × (1 − (AGI−Start)/(End−Start)).
Nonrefundable limit: Allowed Nonrefundable = min(Tax Liability, Sum Nonrefundable).
Net tax: Net Tax = max(0, Tax Liability − Allowed Nonrefundable).
Final balance: Balance = Payments + Refundable Credits − Net Tax. If balance is positive, it’s a refund; otherwise it’s amount due.

How to use this calculator

Enter your tax year, filing status, and income figures.
Fill your tax liability before credits from your draft return.
Add dependents, expenses, and any known credit amounts.
Turn phaseouts on and set thresholds if you need them.
Click Submit to see net tax, refund, and unused credits.
Use the download buttons to export CSV or PDF reports.
Adjust inputs to compare scenarios and plan cash flow.

FAQs

1) What is the difference between refundable and nonrefundable credits?

Nonrefundable credits can reduce tax to zero, but not below. Refundable credits can create a refund even when your tax liability becomes zero.

2) Why do some nonrefundable credits show as unused?

If your total nonrefundable credits exceed your tax liability, the excess cannot be used in this simple model. Some jurisdictions allow carryforwards; check local rules.

3) What does the phaseout section do?

It applies a linear reduction to selected credit estimates when your income crosses a start threshold, reaching zero at the end threshold. It is a generic approximation for planning.

4) Can I model a credit that has a fixed amount?

Yes. Enter the amount directly in fields like EV credit or other credit boxes. For rate-based credits, set a rate and cap that match your scenario.

5) How is my refund or amount due calculated?

We combine your payments (withholding and estimated payments) plus refundable credits, then subtract net tax after nonrefundable credits. Positive means refund; negative means amount due.

6) Does this calculator replace official tax software?

No. This is a planning tool to compare scenarios. Eligibility rules, worksheets, and special limitations vary widely and should be checked with official resources.

7) Why are the default numbers different from my country’s credits?

The calculator is configurable and not tied to one jurisdiction. Replace defaults with your local credit amounts, limits, and phaseout thresholds to match your situation.