How this tax bracket calculator 2026 works
The standard deduction for 2026 is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly and $24,150 head of household — your income below that is taxed at 0%. What remains is 'taxable income', poured into brackets bottom-up (table shown below the results). The result excludes payroll FICA (7.65%), capital-gains rates, AMT and the NIIT; and assumes no credits (child tax credit, EITC) which can reduce your bill further — check Form 1040 line 19 for the real number.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
Seven rates: 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35 and 37%. For single filers the thresholds are $12,400 / $50,400 / $105,700 / $201,775 / $256,225 / $640,600 (2026, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 as amended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Married filing jointly thresholds are exactly double.
Why is my effective rate lower than my bracket?
Progressive taxation: every dollar only fills its own bracket. If you're 'in the 24% bracket', your first $12,400 still paid 10%, the next chunk 12%, and so on. The effective rate is the true average — for most people 5–10 points below the marginal headline.
Does this include state tax?
No — federal only. State rates range from 0% (7 states) to ~13.3% (top CA). Add them mentally or use our biweekly paycheck calculator which accepts a state rate.