Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about what Taxy does, what it leaves out, and what happens to your numbers.

The basics

What is Taxy?

Taxy is a free planning calculator. It estimates your federal and state income taxes. It also shows how your income affects things like ACA health-insurance credits, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and Medicare costs.

Is Taxy tax software? Can I file with it?

No. Taxy doesn’t file returns or produce tax forms. It’s for planning and for answering “what if” questions before you file with whatever you use today.

Is it really free?

Taxy is free to use today. There’s no sign-up, no paywall, and no trial period.

Is this tax advice?

No. Taxy gives estimates for general information. Check important decisions with a qualified tax professional or the IRS.

What it covers

Which tax years and states are supported?

• Tax year: 2025, plus a 2026 preview.
• States: California, Arizona, and Nevada, for both years.
• Filing status: All five are supported: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying surviving spouse.

What kinds of income can I enter?

• W-2 wages
• Freelance or 1099 income, with business expenses
• Interest and dividends
• Short- and long-term capital gains
• Unemployment (1099-G)
• Social Security benefits (SSA-1099)

What does it calculate?

• Federal income tax
• Self-employment tax
• Payroll (FICA) tax
• State income tax
• The QBI deduction
• 401(k), Solo 401(k), and IRA limits
• How much of your Social Security is taxable
• Estimated refund or balance due
• Quarterly payment amounts

What are the “benefits” estimates?

On the Benefits Eligibility tab, Taxy compares your income to program limits. It covers the ACA Premium Tax Credit, Medicare Part B premium tiers, Medicare Savings Programs, and Extra Help for everyone. For California residents it also covers Medi-Cal and CalFresh. These are estimates only. The agencies that run each program decide actual eligibility.

Accuracy and limits

How accurate is it?

It’s a planning estimate, not a filed return. It uses published IRS, state, and program figures, but your actual return can differ because of anything Taxy doesn’t include (see the next question). Our 2026 figures are a preview. Most are confirmed against official sources, but Arizona’s 2026 standard deduction is still waiting on official publication, and California may adjust some 2026 figures when it posts its final tables in December, so treat 2026 state results as a close estimate.

What doesn’t Taxy include?

• Itemized deductions (it uses the standard deduction)
• Credits such as the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit
• The Net Investment Income Tax (3.8%) and the Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%)
• Alternative Minimum Tax
• Local or city income taxes
• Newer deductions for seniors, tips, and overtime
• 401(k) catch-up contributions
• Capital loss carryovers from prior years

If your situation involves any of these, your real tax could be quite different from the estimate.

I’m self-employed. Is the QBI deduction right for me?

Taxy applies the stricter rules for service-type businesses, such as consulting, law, and health. If your business is something else, such as construction or software, you might qualify for more than Taxy shows at higher incomes.

Does it handle partial-year ACA coverage?

No. The Premium Tax Credit estimate assumes one plan for the full year. If you switched plans or had a coverage gap, the result will be off.

Privacy

Do you store the numbers I enter?

No. Your inputs are sent to our server only to run the calculation. The server returns the result and doesn’t save your inputs or the result. They do pass through our hosting provider, Cloudflare, on the way. We never see them again after the calculation.

Where do my saved scenarios live?

In your own browser, on your own device. That means they don’t follow you to another device or browser, and they disappear if you clear your browser’s site data. Anyone who can use your browser profile could see them.

Do I need an account?

No. Taxy never asks for your name, email, Social Security number, or any account details.

How do I delete my data?

Clear your browser’s site data for Taxy, and everything it saved is gone. We don’t have a copy, so we can’t recover it for you either. For the full details, read the privacy policy.

Using it

How many scenarios can I save?

Up to three. You can compare them side by side with your live numbers, and the lowest total tax is highlighted.

Why does it ask about household size and dependents?

Household size determines your Federal Poverty Level, which drives the benefits and ACA estimates. Dependents are collected for the benefits tab; Taxy doesn’t yet apply dependent-related tax credits.

Something looks wrong. Who do I tell?

Email support@gettaxy.com with what you entered and what you expected. Please don’t include your Social Security number or other sensitive details.