The IRS locked in the 2026 inflation adjustments in Revenue Procedure 2025-32. The seven marginal rates are unchanged from 2025 (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%), but every bracket threshold moved up about 2.7% to account for inflation. These numbers apply to income you earn in 2026 and report on the return you file in early 2027.
The seven brackets for single filers
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 to $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 to $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 to $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 to $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 to $640,600 |
| 37% | over $640,600 |
The brackets for married couples filing jointly
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $24,800 |
| 12% | $24,800 to $100,800 |
| 22% | $100,800 to $211,400 |
| 24% | $211,400 to $403,550 |
| 32% | $403,550 to $512,450 |
| 35% | $512,450 to $768,700 |
| 37% | over $768,700 |
Heads of household and married-filing-separately thresholds sit between these two tables; the IRS release lists them in full.
Your standard deduction in 2026
Most people take the standard deduction instead of itemizing. For 2026 it is:
- Single and married filing separately: $16,100 (up from $15,750)
- Married filing jointly: $32,200 (up from $31,500)
- Head of household: $24,150 (up from $23,625)
If you are 65 or older, or blind, you get an extra $1,650 ($2,050 if you are unmarried and not a surviving spouse). The One Big Beautiful Bill also added a temporary $6,000 "senior deduction" for 2025 through 2028, phased down by 6% of modified AGI above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint).
How the brackets actually work
Brackets are marginal. Only the dollars that fall inside a bracket are taxed at that rate. A single filer with $60,000 of taxable income does not pay 22% on the whole $60,000. The first $12,400 is taxed at 10%, the next slice up to $50,400 at 12%, and only the last $9,600 at 22%. That is why your "top marginal rate" is almost always higher than your effective rate.
A quick numbers check
A single filer with $60,000 taxable income in 2026 owes roughly:
- 10% of $12,400 = $1,240
- 12% of ($50,400 - $12,400) = $4,560
- 22% of ($60,000 - $50,400) = $2,112
- Total federal income tax before credits ≈ $7,912, an effective rate of about 13.2%, not 22%.
The real number also depends on any credits you qualify for (child tax credit, earned income credit, etc.).
Disclaimer: This article is general educational information, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Dollar amounts come from the 2026 sources listed at the end of this article and may change. Before you act, talk to a licensed CPA, EA, or tax attorney about your own situation.