2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets Explained
How U.S. federal income tax is calculated for 2026 — the standard deduction, the progressive brackets, and the difference between marginal and effective rates.
How federal income tax is calculated
You do not pay tax on your whole salary. First you subtract the standard deduction (or itemized deductions) to get your taxable income. Then progressive brackets are applied — each slice of income is taxed at its own rate.
2026 standard deduction
For the 2026 tax year the standard deduction is:
- Single: $16,100
- Married filing jointly: $32,200
- Head of household: $24,150
2026 brackets (single filer)
Only the income within each range is taxed at that rate:
- 10% up to $12,400
- 12% from $12,400 to $50,400
- 22% from $50,400 to $105,700
- 24% from $105,700 to $201,775
- 32% from $201,775 to $256,225
- 35% from $256,225 to $640,600
- 37% above $640,600
Marginal vs. effective rate
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar (your top bracket). Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income — always lower than the marginal rate because of the lower brackets below it.
FAQ
Does this include state income tax?
No. This covers federal income tax only. State and local taxes vary widely and are separate.
What about Social Security and Medicare?
Those are FICA payroll taxes, separate from income tax. See the paycheck guide for how they reduce take-home pay.
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Last updated: 2026-07-25 · This content is a 2026 reference and may differ from actual rules and rates.