What's My 2026 Tax Bracket?

Understanding your tax bracket is crucial for effective financial planning in 2026 and beyond. Tax brackets are adjusted annually due to inflation and policy changes. Here, we outline the tax brackets for 2026 and some ways to reduce your taxable income.

2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets

The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually based on inflation, and for 2026, here are the tax rates for different income levels:¹

Single Filers:

37% for incomes over $640,600
35% for incomes over $256,225
32% for incomes over $201,775
24% for incomes over $105,700
22% for incomes over $50,400
12% for incomes over $12,400
10% for incomes $12,400 or less

Married Filing Jointly:

37% for incomes over $768,700
35% for incomes over $512,450
32% for incomes over $403,550
24% for incomes over $211,400
22% for incomes over $100,800
12% for incomes over $24,800
10% for incomes $24,800 or less

How Tax Brackets Work

You may think that if your income falls into a certain tax bracket, your entire income is taxed at that rate. However, the U.S. uses a marginal tax system, which means that only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. For example, if you’re a single filer earning $100,000, only the portion of your income above $50,400 is taxed at 22%, while the lower portions are taxed at the corresponding lower rates.

Standard Deductions for 2025

The standard deduction reduces your taxable income, which can significantly impact the tax you owe. For 2026, the standard deductions are:¹

Single: $16,100
Married Filing Jointly: $32,200
Head of Household: $24,150

If your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction, it may be beneficial to itemize, especially if you own a home, have high medical expenses, or make significant charitable contributions.

How to Reduce Your Tax Burden

While tax brackets determine how much you owe, several strategies can reduce your taxable income and keep more money in your pocket. Here are just a few strategies to consider:

Contribute to Retirement Accounts
Contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA), lower your taxable income. In 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 to a 401(k) and up to $7,500 ($8,600 if 50 or older) to a traditional IRA.²

Use a Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have a high-deductible health plan, contributing to an HSA offers tax advantages. The 2026 contribution limits are $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families.³

Take Advantage of Tax Credits
Tax credits directly reduce your tax bill rather than just your taxable income. Popular credits include:

Child Tax Credit: Provides up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17.⁴
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): For qualifying taxpayers who have three or more qualifying children, the tax year 2026 maximum Earned Income Tax Credit amount is $8,231.¹
American Opportunity Tax Credit: This tax credit helps students and parents with education costs, offering up to $2,500 per eligible student for tuition, fees, and course materials.⁵

Consider Tax-Loss Harvesting
If you have investment losses, you can use them to offset capital gains and reduce your tax burden. Up to $3,000 of excess losses can be deducted against ordinary income per year.⁶

When you understand your tax bracket and utilize tax-saving strategies, you can make informed financial decisions and keep more of your hard-earned money. As always, talk to your tax professional to help you maximize your deductions and credits while staying compliant with IRS regulations.

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Take Care,

Jerry Broussard, CFP®

Jerry Broussard is a Kaplan, La and Lafayette, La Fee-Only Financial Planner serving the entire Gulf Coast region. Broussard Financial Group, LLC specializes in providing objective financial planning to help clients build, manage, grow, and protect their assets through life’s transitions. Jerry Broussard is also a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.