IRS Annual Inflation Adjustments: The Updated Federal Tax Figures for Tax Year 2026 (Brackets, Standard Deduction, Credits, and Key Limits)
Why the IRS updates these figures every year
Each fall, the IRS publishes inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, so thresholds and limits keep up (at least partially) with inflation and reduce “bracket creep.”
1) 2026 federal income tax brackets (ordinary income)
These are the taxable income thresholds (after deductions). The tax rates remain 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37% for 2026.
Single filers (2026)
| Rate | Taxable income over | Up to |
| 10% | $0 | $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 | $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 | $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 | $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 | $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 | $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,600 | — |
Married filing jointly (and surviving spouse) (2026)
| Rate | Taxable income over | Up to |
| 10% | $0 | $24,800 |
| 12% | $24,800 | $100,800 |
| 22% | $100,800 | $211,400 |
| 24% | $211,400 | $403,550 |
| 32% | $403,550 | $512,450 |
| 35% | $512,450 | $768,700 |
| 37% | $768,700 | — |
Head of household (2026)
| Rate | Taxable income over | Up to |
| 10% | $0 | $17,700 |
| 12% | $17,700 | $67,450 |
| 22% | $67,450 | $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 | $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,750 | $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,200 | $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,600 | — |
Married filing separately (2026)
| Rate | Taxable income over | Up to |
| 10% | $0 | $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 | $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 | $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 | $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 | $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 | $384,350 |
| 37% | $384,350 | — |
2) Standard deduction (2026) + key add-ons
Standard deduction amounts (2026)
- Married filing jointly / surviving spouse: $32,200
- Single: $16,100
- Head of household: $24,150
- Married filing separately: $16,100
If you can be claimed as a dependent (2026)
Your standard deduction can’t exceed the greater of:
- $1,350, or
- $450 + earned income
Additional standard deduction for age/blindness (2026)
- $1,650 (aged or blind)
- $2,050 if unmarried and not a surviving spouse
3) Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) (2026)
- AMT exemption (unmarried): $90,100, phaseout begins at $500,000
- AMT exemption (married filing jointly): $140,200, phaseout begins at $1,000,000
4) Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) (2026)
- Maximum EITC (3+ qualifying children): $8,231 (up from $8,046 for 2025)
(Income thresholds and phaseouts vary by filing status and number of children; the IRS includes full tables in its annual guidance.)
5) Adoption-related tax benefits (2026)
- Maximum adoption credit / exclusion: $17,670
- Refundable portion of the adoption credit: $5,120
6) Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) (2026)
- $132,900 (up from $130,000 for 2025)
7) Estate and gift tax figures (2026)
- Estate/gift basic exclusion amount: $15,000,000 for decedents dying in 2026
- Annual gift exclusion: $19,000 (remains the same for 2026)
- Annual exclusion for gifts to a non-citizen spouse: $194,000 (2026)
8) Education savings bond interest exclusion phaseouts (2026)
If you use U.S. savings bond interest for qualified higher education expenses, the exclusion begins phasing out at:
- $152,650 (joint), $101,800 (all others), and is fully phased out at
- $182,650 (joint), $116,800 (all others)
9) Transportation, FSA, and related benefit limits (2026)
- Qualified transportation fringe benefit (monthly): $340
- Qualified parking (monthly): $340
- Health FSA salary reduction limit: $3,400
- Health FSA carryover maximum (if plan allows): $680
10) Retirement contribution limits (2026)
Per IRS annual retirement plan limit guidance:
- 401(k) / 403(b) / governmental 457 / TSP employee deferral limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 for 2025)
- Age 50+ catch-up (most plans): $8,000 (so many 50+ participants can reach $32,500)
- Higher catch-up (ages 60–63): $11,250 for 2026
- IRA contribution limit: $7,500 (up from $7,000)
- IRA catch-up (age 50+): $1,100
11) Standard mileage rates (most recently announced; calendar year 2025)
Mileage rates are typically announced annually and apply by calendar year. The IRS’s posted 2025 standard mileage rates are:
- Business: 70 cents/mile
- Charitable: 14 cents/mile
- Medical: 21 cents/mile
- Moving (military only): 21 cents/mile
Items that are not inflation-adjusted (still important to know)
For tax year 2026, the IRS notes several items that remain unchanged by statute, including:
- Personal exemptions remain at $0
- Lifetime Learning Credit phaseout range is not inflation-adjusted (still $80,000–$90,000, or $160,000–$180,000 for joint)
Practical planning takeaways for 2026
- Update withholding and estimated taxes if your income stayed flat but your deduction/brackets changed—your refund/balance due can shift.
- If you’re near a bracket boundary, timing income and deductions can matter more than the headline “tax bracket” suggests.
- Consider maximizing retirement contributions early in the year if cash flow allows, since limits rose again for 2026.
FAQ
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Are these the “new” tax brackets for taxes due in April 2026?
Not exactly. These are tax year 2026 figures (returns generally filed in early 2027). Your April 2026 filing typically relates to tax year 2025.
Where do these numbers come from?
They come from IRS news releases and the IRS’s annual inflation-adjustment guidance (including the underlying revenue procedure).
Do all IRS numbers change every year?
No. Many do, but some are fixed by law and may not be indexed for inflation.
Compliance note
This article is for educational information only and is not tax or legal advice. Tax outcomes depend on your full facts, filing status, and state rules.
