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US Tax Bracket Calculator 2026
Enter your taxable income and filing status to see your federal tax bracket, effective tax rate, and total tax owed — with a visual breakdown of how each dollar is taxed.
How your income is taxed
2026 Federal Tax Brackets
| Rate | Income Range | Tax in Bracket | Cumulative Tax |
|---|
What if your income changed?
How US Tax Brackets Work
The US uses a progressive tax system — your income is split into portions (“brackets”), and each portion is taxed at a different rate. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket’s rate.
Common misconception: “If I earn $1 more and move into a higher bracket, all my income gets taxed at the higher rate.” This is false. Only the additional dollar is taxed at the higher rate. Your overall (effective) tax rate always stays lower than your marginal bracket.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filer)
| Rate | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,925 – $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,475 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,350 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,300 – $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,525 – $626,350 |
| 37% | $626,350+ |
Standard deduction for 2026: $15,000 (Single), $30,000 (Married Filing Jointly), $22,500 (Head of Household).
Ways to Lower Your Tax Bracket
1. Maximize retirement contributions
401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026) reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. If you’re in the 22% bracket, a $10,000 contribution saves $2,200 in federal taxes.
2. Use the standard deduction or itemize
Most filers benefit from the standard deduction. If your mortgage interest, state taxes, and charitable donations exceed the standard deduction, itemizing saves more.
3. Contribute to an HSA
Health Savings Account contributions ($4,300 individual / $8,550 family in 2026) are tax-deductible, grow tax-free, and can be withdrawn tax-free for medical expenses.
4. Harvest investment losses
Capital losses offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar, plus up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year.
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