Every fall, the Internal Revenue Service adjusts the federal income tax brackets, the standard deduction, and other thresholds of the tax code for inflation.
Below are the tax brackets for income earned in 2026, which taxpayers file a return for in 2027. Taxable income equals adjusted gross income minus deductions or exemptions. One common deduction taken by most taxpayers is the standard deduction, which, in 2026, is $16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household filers.
2026 Tax Brackets (which taxpayers file a return for in 2027)
Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household | Married Filing Separately |
10% | Up to $12,400: 10% of taxable income | Up to $24,800: 10% of taxable income | Up to $17,700: 10% of taxable income | Up to $12,400: 10% of taxable income |
12% | 12% of taxable income over $12,400 + $1,240 | 12% of taxable income over $24,800 + $2,480 | 12% of taxable income over $17,700 + $1,770 | 12% of taxable income over $12,400 + $1,240 |
22% | 22% of taxable income over $50,400 + $5,800 | 22% of taxable income over $100,800 + $11,600 | 22% of taxable income over $67,450 + $7,740 | 22% of taxable income over $50,400 + $5,800 |
24% | 24% of taxable income over $105,700 + $17,966 | 24% of taxable income over $211,400 + $35,932 | 24% of taxable income over $105,700 + $16,155 | 24% of taxable income over $105,700 + $17,966 |
32% | 32% of taxable income over $201,775 + $41,024 | 32% of taxable income over $403,550 + $82,048 | 32% of taxable income over $201,750 + $39,207 | 32% of taxable income over $201,775 + $41,024 |
35% | 35% of taxable income over $256,225 + $58,448 | 35% of taxable income over $512,450 + $116,896 | 35% of taxable income over $256,200 + $56,631 | 35% of taxable income over $256,225 + $58,448 |
37% | 37% of taxable income over $640,600 + $192,979.25 | 37% of taxable income over $768,700 + $206,583.50 | 37% of taxable income over $640,600 + $191,171 | 37% of taxable income over $384,350 + $103,291.75 |
Other key adjustments for tax year 2026 include:
- The maximum amount of the Child Tax Credit is $2,200. The maximum refundable amount is $1,700.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution limit is $3,400, and maximum carryover amount is $680.
- Health Spending Account (HSA) contribution limit is $4,400 for self-only and $8,750 for family.
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption amount is $90,100 ($140,200 for married filing jointly) and begins to phase out at $500,000 ($1,000,000 for married filing jointly).
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) maximum amount is $8,231.
- Qualified Transportation Fringe amount is $340 per month.
- Foreign earned income exclusion is $132,900.
- Estate tax exclusion amount is $15,000,000.
- Gift tax exclusion is $19,000 (no change).
- 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500 for employee contributions. Catch-up contribution limit for age 50 or over is $8,000.
The deadline for filing 2026 taxes, paying any tax owed, or requesting an extension is Thursday, April 15, 2027.
Below are the tax brackets for income earned in 2027, which taxpayers file a return for in 2028. The IRS announced these adjustments on November 5, 2026.
2027 Tax Brackets (which taxpayers file a return for in 2028)
Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household | Married Filing Separately |
10% | Up to $12,800: 10% of taxable income | Up to $25,600: 10% of taxable income | Up to $18,250: 10% of taxable income | Up to $12,800: 10% of taxable income |
12% | 12% of taxable income over $12,800 + $1,280 | 12% of taxable income over $25,600 + $2,560 | 12% of taxable income over $18,250 + $1,825 | 12% of taxable income over $12,800 + $1,280 |
22% | 22% of taxable income over $52,025 + $5,987 | 22% of taxable income over $104,050 + $11,974 | 22% of taxable income over $69,650 + $7,993 | 22% of taxable income over $52,025 + $5,987 |
24% | 24% of taxable income over $109,125 + $18,549 | 24% of taxable income over $218,250 + $37,098 | 24% of taxable income over $109,100 + $16,672 | 24% of taxable income over $109,125 + $18,549 |
32% | 32% of taxable income over $208,325 + $42,357 | 32% of taxable income over $416,650 + $84,714 | 32% of taxable income over $208,300 + $40,480 | 32% of taxable income over $208,325 + $42,357 |
35% | 35% of taxable income over $264,550 + $60,349 | 35% of taxable income over $529,100 + $120,698 | 35% of taxable income over $264,550 + $58,480 | 35% of taxable income over $264,550 + $60,349 |
37% | 37% of taxable income over $661,375 + $199,237.75 | 37% of taxable income over $793,650 + $213,290.50 | 37% of taxable income over $661,350 + 197,360.00 | 37% of taxable income over $396,825 + $106,645.25 |
The 2027 standard deduction will rise to $16,600 for single filers and married filing separately, $33,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,925 for heads of household filers.
Other key adjustments for tax year 2027 include:
- The maximum amount of the Child Tax Credit is $2,300. The maximum refundable amount is $1,800.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution limit is $3,500, and maximum carryover amount is $700.
- Health Spending Account (HSA) contribution limit is $4,500 for self-only and $9,000 for family.
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption amount is $93,000 ($144,700 for married filing jointly) and begins to phase out at $515,950 ($1,031,900 for married filing jointly).
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) maximum amount is $8,496.
- Qualified Transportation Fringe amount is $350 per month.
- Foreign earned income exclusion is $137,300.
- Estate tax exclusion amount is $15,480,000.
- Gift tax exclusion is $20,000.
- Although not officially confirmed yet, the 401(k) contribution limit will likely be $25,500 for employee contributions. Catch-up contribution limit for age 50 or over will likely be $8,500.