Can I calculate my refund before I really file?

The most accurate way to calculate your refund is to fill out the appropriate 1040 form yourself. Afterwards, if you are not comfortable filing it, you can always pay a company such as HR Block to look over it and file it for you.

You can do a very rough estimate by finding out which tax bracket you are in, and subtracting the standard deduction from your total wages, applying the tax percentage to the remaining amount, and comparing that amount to the amount you paid in income tax listed on your W2. If there is more money listed on your W2, then you will receive the different as a refund. Again, this is a very rough estimate, and only if you accept the standard deduction.