2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets
Your federal income tax rate is not a single number—it's seven different rates stacked together. If you earn $85,000 as a single filer, you don't pay 22% on all of it. You pay 10% on the first portion, then 12%, then 22% on the remainder. This is how marginal tax brackets work. Understanding them helps you make smarter decisions about income, deductions, and investments.
Curious how today's rates compare historically?
See the top marginal rate from 1913 to 2026 with every major tax act charted.
2026 Tax Brackets for Single Filers
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 |
2026 Tax Brackets for Married Filing Jointly
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $23,850 |
| 12% | $23,851 – $96,950 |
| 22% | $96,951 – $206,700 |
| 24% | $206,701 – $394,600 |
| 32% | $394,601 – $501,050 |
| 35% | $501,051 – $751,600 |
| 37% | Over $751,600 |
2026 Standard Deduction
Standard Deduction Amounts for 2026
- Single: $15,000
- Married Filing Jointly: $30,000
- Married Filing Separately: $15,000
- Head of Household: $22,500
- Age 65+ (additional): +$1,950 (single) or +$1,550 (MFJ)
The standard deduction is the amount of income you can earn tax-free. If you're a single filer earning $50,000, your taxable income is $50,000 − $15,000 = $35,000. You only pay tax on the $35,000, not the full $50,000. Many people can deduct their standard deduction without itemizing, making tax filing simpler.
How Marginal Tax Rates Work
Here's where most people get confused. You don't pay your "tax bracket" on your entire income. You pay different rates on different "slices" of income.
Worked Example: $85,000 Single Filer
Suppose you earn $85,000 in taxable income (after applying the $15,000 standard deduction). Here's your federal tax:
| Income Slice | Amount | Tax Rate | Tax Owed |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 to $11,925 | $11,925 | 10% | $1,192.50 |
| $11,926 to $48,475 | $36,550 | 12% | $4,386.00 |
| $48,476 to $85,000 | $36,525 | 22% | $8,035.50 |
| Total Taxable Income | $85,000 | Effective: 13.6% | $13,614.00 |
Your total federal tax is $13,614. Your "marginal tax rate" (the rate on your last dollar) is 22%. But your "effective tax rate" (tax ÷ income) is only 13.6%. This is the key distinction: marginal vs. effective.
When you earn an extra $1,000, that $1,000 is taxed at your marginal rate (22%), not your effective rate (13.6%). This matters for decisions like: "Should I take a raise?" or "Should I defer some income to a 401(k)?" The marginal rate tells you what you actually keep.
Capital Gains & Qualified Dividends
Some income is taxed at lower rates than ordinary income. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends get preferential treatment:
| Rate | Single Income Range |
|---|---|
| 0% | $0 – $47,025 |
| 15% | $47,026 – $518,900 |
| 20% | Over $518,900 |
This means if you earn $100,000 in ordinary income but have $20,000 in long-term capital gains, the capital gains might be taxed at 0% or 15%, not your 22% ordinary income rate. This is why investments are often preferentially held long-term—the tax savings can be substantial.
Calculate Your Tax Liability
Ready to see how much federal tax you'll owe in 2026? Use our Tax Bracket Calculator to input your income, filing status, and deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tax brackets change every year?
Yes. The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually for inflation. In 2026, most brackets are wider than in 2025, pushing fewer people into higher tax brackets. This happens automatically; you don't need to do anything. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) brackets are currently set to expire after 2025, meaning 2026 may see significant bracket changes. Stay informed of changes to your deductions and standard deduction amounts.
If I get a raise that puts me in a higher tax bracket, do I lose money?
No. Higher-bracket income is only taxed at the higher rate; your existing income retains its lower rate. If you earn a $5,000 raise and the highest $3,000 falls into a 22% bracket while your current top slice is 12%, you only pay the extra 10% on that $3,000 slice ($300 extra tax). You keep the vast majority of the raise. Don't fear higher tax brackets.
What's the difference between standard and itemized deductions?
The standard deduction is a flat amount ($15,000 for single filers in 2026). Itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable donations, medical expenses) let you deduct specific expenses. You can only claim one. Most people use the standard deduction because it's simpler and often larger. Homeowners with high mortgage interest or those in high-tax states might itemize.