Tax Bracket Finder

Find your marginal tax bracket based on taxable income and filing status for 2025 or 2026.

📅 Tax Year:

🧮 Find Your Bracket

Taxable Income

Income after deductions

Filing Status

How It Works

The U.S. uses a marginal tax bracket system where income is divided into portions, each taxed at a progressively higher rate. Your "tax bracket" refers to the highest rate that applies to your income.

For example, if you're single with $60,000 taxable income in 2026, you're in the 22% bracket. But you don't pay 22% on all $60,000—only on the portion above $49,475. Lower portions are taxed at 10% and 12%.

Key Points

Your bracket is determined by taxable income (after deductions)
Brackets differ by filing status
Only income within each bracket is taxed at that rate
Your effective rate is always lower than your bracket

Examples

Example 1: Single, $45,000 Taxable Income (2026)

Bracket: 12% (income between $12,150 and $49,475)

Example 2: MFJ, $200,000 Taxable Income (2026)

Bracket: 22% (income between $98,950 and $210,800)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a marginal tax bracket?

Your marginal tax bracket is the tax rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income. It's the highest rate you pay, but only on income within that bracket.

Why is my effective rate lower than my bracket?

Because the progressive system taxes lower income at lower rates. Only income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate. Your effective rate averages all brackets together.

How do tax brackets change each year?

The IRS adjusts bracket thresholds annually for inflation. The rates (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%) have remained stable since 2018 tax reform, but the income thresholds increase each year.

Does a raise put me in a higher bracket?

Only the additional income is taxed at the higher rate. You'll never take home less money by getting a raise. The higher rate only applies to income above the threshold.

Are capital gains taxed at my bracket rate?

No. Long-term capital gains have separate, lower rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income at your bracket rate.

What income determines my bracket?

Your taxable income, which is gross income minus deductions. Use your anticipated taxable income (after standard or itemized deductions) for accurate bracket determination.

Use Cases

Salary earners planning a raise or bonus — see how additional income is taxed at the marginal rate, not the average rate.
Married couples comparing filing statuses — compare brackets for Single, MFJ, MFS, and Head of Household to choose the best option.
Year-end tax planning — decide whether to accelerate or defer income based on where you fall within a bracket.
Retirees managing withdrawals — determine how IRA or 401(k) distributions affect your bracket and effective rate.
Students and educators — visualize how progressive taxation works with a concrete, real-time example.

Assumptions & Limitations

Brackets shown are for federal ordinary income only; they do not include state or local taxes.
Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends are taxed at separate, preferential rates not reflected here.
The calculator uses taxable income (after deductions). Enter your income minus the standard or itemized deduction for accurate results.
The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is not factored into the estimate.
Tax credits (child tax credit, earned income credit, etc.) are not applied; the result is pre-credit tax.
Results are estimates for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified tax professional or the IRS for your exact liability.

Sources & References

IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11 — 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts
IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax
IRS Form 1040 Instructions
IRS Topic No. 409 — Capital Gains and Losses
IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Always verify figures with official IRS publications or a licensed tax professional.