● Money & small business
2026 tax brackets: how much federal income tax on $40,000 to $300,000
The IRS published the 2026 tax brackets and standard deductions in Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Every figure below comes from our 2026 income tax calculator, whose tax at every bracket threshold matches the base amounts in that revenue procedure. The examples treat all income as ordinary income and take the standard deduction; credits, capital gains rates and other taxes aren't included.
The 2026 brackets
| Rate | Single | Head of household | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | up to $12,400 | up to $17,700 | up to $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $17,700 – $67,450 | $24,800 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $67,450 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $105,700 – $201,750 | $211,400 – $403,550 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $201,750 – $256,200 | $403,550 – $512,450 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $256,200 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 |
| 37% | over $640,600 | over $640,600 | over $768,700 |
These apply to taxable income, after deductions. Standard deductions for 2026: $16,100 single (and married filing separately), $24,150 head of household, $32,200 married filing jointly, plus $1,650 for each spouse who is 65 or older or blind ($2,050 if unmarried).
Tax at each income level
| Income | Single | Head of household | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 (12%, 6.6%) | $1,585 (10%, 4.0%) | $780 (10%, 1.9%) |
| $60,000 | $5,020 (12%, 8.4%) | $3,948 (12%, 6.6%) | $2,840 (12%, 4.7%) |
| $80,000 | $8,770 (22%, 11.0%) | $6,348 (12%, 7.9%) | $5,240 (12%, 6.6%) |
| $100,000 | $13,170 (22%, 13.2%) | $9,588 (22%, 9.6%) | $7,640 (12%, 7.6%) |
| $150,000 | $24,734 (24%, 16.5%) | $20,991 (24%, 14.0%) | $15,340 (22%, 10.2%) |
| $200,000 | $36,734 (24%, 18.4%) | $32,991 (24%, 16.5%) | $26,340 (22%, 13.2%) |
| $300,000 | $68,134 (35%, 22.7%) | $63,509 (35%, 21.2%) | $49,468 (24%, 16.5%) |
In brackets: the top bracket your last dollar falls in, then tax as a share of income. For a single filer earning $100,000, taxable income is $83,900: 10% of the first $12,400, 12% of the next $38,000 and 22% of the last $33,500, $13,170 in all, 13.2% of income even though the top rate is 22%. Below $100,000 of taxable income the IRS tax table works in $50 steps, so the tax on your return can differ by a few dollars.
The new deduction for seniors
From 2025 through 2028, each person 65 or older can deduct another $6,000, whether or not they itemize. It shrinks by 6% of income over $75,000 ($150,000 joint), and married couples must file jointly to claim it (IRS Schedule 1-A). For a married couple both over 65, compared with a couple under 65 with the same income:
| Income | Senior deduction | Tax, both 65+ | Tax, both under 65 | Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $12,000 | $1,250 | $2,840 | $1,590 |
| $100,000 | $12,000 | $5,804 | $7,640 | $1,836 |
| $150,000 | $12,000 | $11,974 | $15,340 | $3,366 |
| $200,000 | $6,000 | $24,294 | $26,340 | $2,046 |
| $250,000 | $0 | $36,676 | $37,468 | $792 |
The savings include the older couple's extra $3,300 of standard deduction ($1,650 each). A single person 65 or older with $90,000 of income gets a $5,100 senior deduction ($6,000 − 6% of $15,000) and pays $9,397 instead of $10,970.
Enter your own income and deductions in the 2026 income tax calculator. For what a pre-tax 401(k) or HSA contribution does to your paycheck, see the open enrollment paycheck calculator.