This article on federal tax brackets has been updated for the 2025 and 2026 tax years. The IRS has released its 2026 tax brackets (the bracketed tax rate table for IRS federal income tax rates). Each year, the IRS tax rate brackets are adjusted for inflation (similar to maximum 401K and maximum IRA contribution levels and standard deduction amounts). Inflation has declined significantly in the past year, but there are still inflation adjustment increases over the 2025 tax brackets and standard deductions for taxpayers.
Since we’re still focused on 2025 for tax filing purposes and will be until the 2025 tax year deadline, the 2025 tax brackets are also going to be of interest to readers when working on your upcoming tax return, so I have included those in this article as well. And, armed with the 2026 tax brackets, it would be an excellent time to calculate what your modified adjusted gross income will likely be next year and modify your tax withholding on your W4 form. This will help prevent penalization for underpayment of taxes or getting a refund (which is really a form of self-penalization by letting the government borrow your money, interest-free).
With the “Tax Cut & Jobs Act” (the tax reform first implemented in 2018) and OBBBA legislation, the 2025 and 2026 tax brackets have all been heavily revised from pre-reform levels. Barring new legislative changes, these altered tax brackets will now continue permanently until further reform.
How Tax Brackets & U.S. Federal Tax Rates Work
In the tax rate tables below, it is important to note that the highlighted rates represent the income tax rate owed for the portion of your taxable income that falls into that tax bracket (after subtracting the greater of your itemized or standard deductions). As an example (for 2026), if you are single (unmarried) filer and your taxable income is $75,000, your tax rate on your first $11,600 of taxable income is 10%, taxable income over $12,400 up to $50,400 is taxed at 12%, and taxable income over $50,500 to $75,000 (your income) would be taxed at 22%.
Many taxpayers incorrectly assume, for example, that if your total income peaks within the 35% tax bracket, then all of your income is taxed at that rate. This is not the case. The United States federal income tax system is a “progressive” tax system, which means that your effective (actual) overall tax rate is less than the tax rate for income that falls in the top bracket that you are in. In other words, income is taxed in steps, or brackets. With that said, let’s take a look at the tax brackets.
2025 Tax Brackets (IRS Federal Income Tax Rates Table)
Here are the federal tax brackets for 2025:
2026 Tax Brackets (IRS Federal Income Tax Rates Table)
Here are the federal tax brackets for 2026:
What About Capital Gains Tax Rates?
Capital gains tax rates on income from the selling of assets are broken down into short and long-term rates. Short-term capital gains, which apply to assets held for less than a year, are considered as ordinary income and are taxed at the rates and brackets highlighted above. Long-term capital gains tax rates on assets held for over a year receive preferred lower tax rates. Check out our short vs long-term capital gains tax rates overview for more details.
Tax Filing Resources
For more information to help you with your tax filing, check out the IRS website and our summarized “how to do your taxes” guide. If you’re ready to start filing your taxes – view our lists of the best tax software and cheapest ways to efile.
Tax Rate Discussion
- Which tax bracket will you top out in for this year and what are you predicting for 2026?
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