How to Get Results From a Tax Table in Excel

Excel has developed into an excellent program for accountants to gather information and to enter data for analysis. It allows for developing all kinds of data so that it can be printed in different formats, such as charts and graphs.

Using Excel for tax tables:

1. First, bring up the tax tables in Excel. Alternatively, you can go to the IRS website and copy them from the PDF file there. These tables are usually accessible in late January or early February each year.


2. Open up Excel on your computer. You will find a table that is composed of six columns. These columns will be filing statuses: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of household. The tax specifics for each of these categories will be listed under the respective columns.


3. Go to the cell marked H1, then click on the Data tab. You will then need to choose Data Validation. This will bring up a dialogue box. You will choose List for the validation you are looking for. You will then need to enter a specific formula for the source. This formula is: "=$C$1:$F$1". That formula will bring up a drop-down menu featuring the types of filing status.


4. In cell J1, enter your net adjusted income.


5. In cell K1, enter the specific formula: "=VLOOKUP(J1,A2:F2063,MATCH(H1,A1:F1,0),FALSE)". This formula uses the income you entered and locates the corresponding row for it. It then matches your specific information, such as filing status, so that it can locate the correct column.