"I don't want a raise — it'll push me into a higher tax bracket" is one of the most common money myths in America. It isn't how brackets work. Here are the 2026 brackets and a plain-English explanation of what they actually mean for your tax bill.
Try the calculatorFederal Income Tax Calculator 2026US federal tax & bracket→2026 standard deduction
Most people take the standard deduction instead of itemizing. For tax year 2026 (the return you file in 2027):
| Filing status | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
Your taxable income is your income minus pre-tax contributions (like a traditional 401(k)) minus this deduction.
2026 tax brackets
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | up to $12,400 | up to $24,800 | up to $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $24,800 – $100,800 | $17,700 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 | $67,450 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $211,400 – $403,550 | $105,700 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $403,550 – $512,450 | $201,750 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 | $256,200 – $640,600 |
| 37% | over $640,600 | over $768,700 | over $640,600 |
How marginal rates really work
Each rate applies only to the slice of income inside that bracket. Moving into a higher bracket only raises the tax on the extra dollars — never on the income below it. So a raise always leaves you with more money after tax.
Example — single filer earning $85,000:
- Taxable income: $85,000 – $16,100 = $68,900
- First $12,400 at 10% = $1,240
- Next $38,000 (up to $50,400) at 12% = $4,560
- Remaining $18,500 at 22% = $4,070
- Total federal tax: $9,870
That's a marginal rate of 22% but an effective rate of just 11.6% of the $85,000 salary.
More examples
| Income and status | Taxable income | Federal tax | Effective rate | Top bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000, single | $33,900 | $3,820 | 7.6% | 12% |
| $85,000, single | $68,900 | $9,870 | 11.6% | 22% |
| $85,000, head of household | $60,850 | $6,948 | 8.2% | 12% |
| $150,000, single | $133,900 | $24,734 | 16.5% | 24% |
| $150,000, married jointly | $117,800 | $15,340 | 10.2% | 22% |
These examples assume the standard deduction, no pre-tax contributions and no credits.
Ways to lower your taxable income
- Traditional 401(k) or 403(b): up to $24,500 in 2026 ($8,000 more if you're 50 or older).
- Traditional IRA: up to $7,500, deductible depending on income and workplace plan.
- HSA contributions, if you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan.
- Itemizing, if your mortgage interest, state and local taxes and charitable gifts exceed your standard deduction.
- Tax credits (like the child tax credit) reduce your tax directly, dollar for dollar.
Federal tax is only part of your paycheck
Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are taken out on top of income tax, and most states add their own tax. See your real take-home pay in the paycheck calculator.
Note: this guide covers federal income tax for the 2026 tax year. Rules change and personal situations differ — check IRS.gov or a tax professional for your own return.
This article is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and rates change — check the latest figures with an official source or a qualified adviser. Read our disclaimer.