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2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets
Married Filing Jointly (and Qualifying Widow(er))
| If taxable income is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $24,800 | $0 + 10% | $0 |
| $24,800 | $100,800 | $2,480 + 12% | $24,800 |
| $100,800 | $211,400 | $11,600 + 22% | $100,800 |
| $211,400 | $403,550 | $35,932 + 24% | $211,400 |
| $403,550 | $512,450 | $82,048 + 32% | $403,550 |
| $512,450 | $768,700 | $116,896 + 35% | $512,450 |
| $768,700 | | $206,583.50 + 37% | $768,700 |
Single
| If taxable income is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $12,400 | $0 + 10% | $0 |
| $12,400 | $50,400 | $1,240 + 12% | $12,400 |
| $50,400 | $105,700 | $5,800 + 22% | $50,400 |
| $105,700 | $201,775 | $17,966 + 24% | $105,700 |
| $201,775 | $256,225 | $41,024 + 32% | $201,775 |
| $256,225 | $640,600 | $58,448 + 35% | $256,225 |
| $640,600 | | $192,979.25 + 37% | $640,600 |
Head of Household
| If taxable income is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $17,700 | $0 + 10% | $0 |
| $17,700 | $67,450 | $1,770 + 12% | $17,700 |
| $67,450 | $105,700 | $7,740 + 22% | $67,450 |
| $105,700 | $201,750 | $16,155 + 24% | $105,700 |
| $201,750 | $256,200 | $39,207 + 32% | $201,750 |
| $256,200 | $640,600 | $56,631 + 35% | $256,200 |
| $640,600 | | $191,171 + 37% | $640,600 |
Married Filing Separately
| If taxable income is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $12,400 | $0 + 10% | $0 |
| $12,400 | $50,400 | $1,240 + 12% | $12,400 |
| $50,400 | $105,700 | $5,800 + 22% | $50,400 |
| $105,700 | $201,775 | $17,966 + 24% | $105,700 |
| $201,775 | $256,225 | $41,024 + 32% | $201,775 |
| $256,225 | $384,350 | $58,448 + 35% | $256,225 |
| $384,350 | | $103,291.75 + 37% | $384,350 |
Estates and Trusts
| If taxable income is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $3,300 | $0 + 10% | $0 |
| $3,300 | $11,700 | $330 + 24% | $3,300 |
| $11,700 | $16,000 | $2,346 + 35% | $11,700 |
| $16,000 | | $3,851 + 37% | $16,000 |
2026 Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends Tax Rates
| Filing status | 0% rate | 15% rate | 20% rate |
|---|
| Single | $0–$49,450 | Over $49,450 but not over $545,500 | Over $545,500 |
| Head of household | $0–$66,200 | Over $66,200 but not over $579,600 | Over $579,600 |
| Married filing jointly / qualifying widow(er) | $0–$98,900 | Over $98,900 but not over $613,700 | Over $613,700 |
| Married filing separately | $0–$49,450 | Over $49,450 but not over $306,850 | Over $306,850 |
| Estates and trusts | $0–$3,300 | Over $3,300 but not over $16,250 | Over $16,250 |
2026 Standard Deduction
| Filing status | Standard deduction | Additional age 65+ or blind (each) |
|---|
| Married filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s | $32,200 | $1,650 |
| Head of household | $24,150 | $2,050 |
| Single | $16,100 | $2,050 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 | $1,650 |
| Dependents (claimed on someone else’s return) | Standard deduction is limited (generally: earned income + $450, up to the regular standard deduction). |
Additional Senior Deduction (Age 65+) - New for 2026
| Who qualifies | Deduction | Phase-out note |
|---|
| Taxpayers age 65+ (per eligible individual) | $6,000 | Subject to income limits/phase-outs (see 2026 rules). |
| Married filing jointly (both spouses age 65+) | $12,000 | Subject to income limits/phase-outs (see 2026 rules). |
2026 Child Tax Credit
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Child tax credit (per qualifying child) | $2,200 |
| Maximum refundable portion (Additional CTC) | $1,700 |
2026 Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction (Section 199A)
| Filing status | Full deduction if taxable income is | Phase-in range ends at |
|---|
| Single / Head of household | $211,300 or less | $261,300 |
| Married filing jointly | $422,600 or less | $522,600 |
| Married filing separately | $211,300 or less | $261,300 |
Note: Includes a minimum QBI deduction under 2026 rules (eligibility requirements apply).
2026 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits (Workplace Plans)
| Plan / item | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Maximum elective deferral to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans | $24,500 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50+) | $8,000 |
| Catch-up contribution (ages 60–63) | $11,250 |
| Maximum elective deferral to SIMPLE plans | $17,000 |
| SIMPLE catch-up (age 50+) | $4,000 |
| SIMPLE catch-up (ages 60–63) | $5,250 |
| Limit on annual additions to defined contribution plans (e.g., 401(k) total) | $72,000 |
| Annual compensation limit for qualified plans | $360,000 |
| Minimum annual compensation for SEP coverage | $800 |
| Limit on annual additions to SEP plans | $72,000 |
| Annual benefit limit under defined benefit plans | $290,000 |
| Highly compensated employee (HCE) threshold | $160,000 |
| Key employee officer threshold | $230,000 |
| Health FSA maximum salary reduction contribution | $3,400 |
| Health FSA maximum carryover (if plan allows) | $680 |
2026 IRA Contribution Limits
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Traditional or Roth IRA contribution limit | $7,500 |
| IRA catch-up contribution (age 50+) | $1,100 |
| Qualified charitable distribution (QCD) maximum | $111,000 |
Traditional IRA Deductibility (2026)
| Filing Status | Covered by employer retirement plan | Modified AGI (2026) | Deductibility |
|---|
| Single / Head of household | No | Any amount | Full |
| | Yes | $81,000 or less | Full |
| | Yes | $81,001–$90,999 | Partial |
| | Yes | $91,000 or more | None |
| Married filing jointly | Neither spouse covered | Any amount | Full |
| | Both spouses covered | $129,000 or less | Full |
| | | $129,001–$148,999 | Partial |
| | | $149,000 or more | None |
| Married filing jointly | Taxpayer covered, spouse not covered | $129,000 or less | Full |
| | | $129,001–$148,999 | Partial |
| | | $149,000 or more | None |
| Married filing jointly | Taxpayer not covered, spouse covered | $242,000 or less | Full |
| | | $242,001–$251,999 | Partial |
| | | $252,000 or more | None |
| Married filing separately | Yes | $0–$10,000 | Partial |
| | Yes | Over $10,000 | None |
Roth IRA Income Limits (2026)
| Filing status | Full contribution if MAGI is | Partial contribution if MAGI is | No contribution if MAGI is |
|---|
| Single / Head of household | $153,000 or less | $153,001–$167,999 | $168,000 or more |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 or less | $242,001–$251,999 | $252,000 or more |
| Married filing separately | Phaseout applies if MAGI is between $0 and $10,000; no contribution if $10,000 or more. |
2026 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Requirements
| Item | Self-only | Family |
|---|
| HSA contribution limit | $4,400 | $8,750 |
| HSA catch-up (age 55+) | $1,100 (additional; per eligible individual) |
| HDHP minimum annual deductible | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| HDHP maximum out-of-pocket | $9,050 | $18,100 |
2026 Social Security and Medicare
Social Security Wage Base and Maximum Benefit (2026)
| Category | 2026 limit |
|---|
| Maximum taxable earnings (Social Security / OASDI) | $184,500 |
| Maximum taxable earnings (Medicare / HI) | No limit |
| Quarter of coverage (work credit) earnings | $1,890 |
| Maximum Social Security benefit (worker retiring at full retirement age) | $4,152/month |
Social Security Earnings Test (2026)
| Category | 2026 limit |
|---|
Under full retirement age
($1 withheld for every $2 above limit) | $24,480 |
The year you reach full retirement age
($1 withheld for every $3 above limit) | $65,160 |
| Full retirement age and over | No limit |
When Social Security Benefits Become Taxable
| Filing status | Up to 50% of benefits may be taxable if “combined income” is over | Up to 85% of benefits may be taxable if “combined income” is over |
|---|
| Single / head of household / qualifying widow(er) / married filing separately (and lived apart all year) | $25,000 | $34,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,000 | $44,000 |
Medicare Surtaxes (High Earners)
| Tax | Threshold (not indexed) |
|---|
| Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%) | $200,000 (Single/HOH), $250,000 (MFJ), $125,000 (MFS) |
| Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) (3.8%) | $200,000 (Single/HOH), $250,000 (MFJ), $125,000 (MFS) |
2026 Estate and Gift Tax Limits
Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions (2026)
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Annual exclusion for gifts (per recipient) | $19,000 |
| Basic exclusion amount (estate/gift) | $15,000,000 |
Federal Estate and Gift Tax Rates (2026)
(Subtract applicable credit from calculated tax)
| If gift/gross is over | But not over | The tax is | Of the amount over |
|---|
| $0 | $10,000 | $0 + 18% | $0 |
| $10,000 | $20,000 | $1,800 + 20% | $10,000 |
| $20,000 | $40,000 | $3,800 + 22% | $20,000 |
| $40,000 | $60,000 | $8,200 + 24% | $40,000 |
| $60,000 | $80,000 | $13,000 + 26% | $60,000 |
| $80,000 | $100,000 | $18,200 + 28% | $80,000 |
| $100,000 | $150,000 | $23,800 + 30% | $100,000 |
| $150,000 | $250,000 | $38,800 + 32% | $150,000 |
| $250,000 | $500,000 | $70,800 + 34% | $250,000 |
| $500,000 | $750,000 | $155,800 + 37% | $500,000 |
| $750,000 | $1,000,000 | $248,300 + 39% | $750,000 |
| $1,000,000 | | $345,800 + 40% | $1,000,000 |
Key Tax Law Updates Affecting 2026 Returns
| Provision (high-level) | 2026 headline amount | Notes |
|---|
| SALT itemized deduction cap (state & local taxes) | $40,400 (2026) | Phase-down/limits apply under 2026 rules. |
| Qualified tips deduction | Up to $25,000 | Eligibility and income limits apply. |
| Qualified overtime deduction | Up to $12,500 (Single); $25,000 (Joint) | Eligibility and income limits apply. |
| Auto loan interest deduction (qualified vehicles) | Up to $10,000 | Eligibility and income limits apply. |
2026 Education Tax Credits
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) Income Limits (2026)
| Filing status | Modified AGI phaseout |
|---|
| Married filing jointly | $160,000–$180,000 |
| All other filers | $80,000–$90,000 |
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) Income Limits (2026)
| Filing status | Modified AGI phaseout |
|---|
| Married filing jointly | $160,000–$180,000 |
| All other filers | $80,000–$90,000 |
Other 2026 Tax Figures (Quick Reference)
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption | $90,100 (Single), $140,200 (MFJ) (phase-outs apply) |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) (3+ qualifying children) | $8,231 |
| Foreign earned income exclusion | $132,900 |
| Qualified transportation fringe / qualified parking (monthly) | $340 |
| Student loan interest deduction phaseout (MAGI) | $85,000–$100,000 (Single/HOH); $175,000–$205,000 (MFJ) |
| Personal exemption | $0 |
Sources: IRS and Social Security Administration updates 2026.
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