Tax Bracket Comparator
Compare federal tax brackets side by side across years and see exactly how your tax changes.
Compare Tax Years
You save $195 in 2026
2025 Tax
$10,314
12.1% effective
2026 Tax
$10,119
11.9% effective
Standard Deduction & Rates
| 2025 | 2026 | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Deduction | $15,000 | $15,350 | +$350 |
| Taxable Income | $70,000 | $69,650 | $-350 |
| Marginal Rate | 22% | 22% | Same |
| Effective Rate | 12.1% | 11.9% | -0.2% |
| Total Tax | $10,314 | $10,119 | $-195 |
Bracket Comparison (2026)
Bracket Inflation Adjustment
Tax brackets widened by approximately 2.3% from 2025 to 2026 due to inflation adjustments. This means slightly more income is taxed at lower rates each year, even though the tax rates themselves remain unchanged.
Disclaimer
- Uses standard deduction only — itemized deductions may differ.
- Does not include state income tax, FICA, or credits/deductions beyond standard.
- 2026 brackets are projected and may change with legislation.
- If TCJA sunsets, 2026+ brackets could revert to higher 2017 rates.
How Tax Brackets Change Each Year
Federal tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation using the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U). This "bracket creep" adjustment means the income thresholds for each rate increase slightly each year, ensuring that inflation alone does not push you into a higher bracket. The seven rates (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%) have remained unchanged since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
2026 Tax Bracket Highlights
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,200 | $0 – $24,400 |
| 12% | $12,200 – $49,600 | $24,400 – $99,200 |
| 22% | $49,600 – $105,800 | $99,200 – $211,600 |
| 24% | $105,800 – $201,800 | $211,600 – $403,600 |
| 32% | $201,800 – $256,300 | $403,600 – $512,600 |
| 35% | $256,300 – $641,000 | $512,600 – $769,200 |
| 37% | $641,000+ | $769,200+ |
Standard Deduction Growth
The standard deduction has increased from $14,600 (2024) to $15,350 (2026 projected) for single filers — a $750 increase that reduces your taxable income. For married filing jointly, the increase is $1,500 (from $29,200 to $30,700). This alone saves roughly $90-$180 in taxes for most filers, depending on their marginal rate.
TCJA and What Happens at Sunset
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 lowered individual rates and nearly doubled the standard deduction. These provisions are currently set to expire after 2025 unless Congress acts. If TCJA sunsets, rates would revert to the 2017 structure (10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, 39.6%) with a lower standard deduction — resulting in a significant tax increase for most filers. Legislative extensions may maintain the current rates.
IRS — 2026 Inflation Adjustments→Frequently Asked Questions
Does a higher bracket mean all my income is taxed at that rate?
No — the US uses marginal tax rates. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. If you earn $60,000 as a single filer, the first $12,200 is taxed at 10%, the next $37,400 at 12%, and only the remaining $10,400 at 22%. Your effective rate (total tax / total income) is always lower than your marginal rate.
How much do brackets change each year?
Typically 2-4%, depending on inflation. In high-inflation years (like 2023), adjustments were larger (7%+). In stable years, the changes are modest — a few hundred dollars per bracket threshold.
Should I plan around future bracket changes?
Yes — if your income fluctuates, or if you can control timing of income (Roth conversions, stock sales, retirement distributions), you may benefit from accelerating or deferring income to take advantage of lower brackets in specific years.
Calculate your exact tax with our Federal Income Tax Calculator or optimize withholding with the W-4 Withholding Calculator.