The tax rates and deduction amounts for the 2026 calendar year are listed below.
Federal ordinary income tax rates
| Single taxpayers | |
| If taxable income is between: | The tax is: |
| $0 – 12,400 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12,400 – 50,400 | $1,240 + 12% of the amount over 12,400 |
| 50,400 – 105,700 | 5,800 + 22% of the amount over 50,400 |
| 105,700 – 201,775 | 17,966 + 24% of the amount over 105,700 |
| 201,775 – 256,225 | 41,024 + 32% of the amount over 201,775 |
| 256,225 – 640,600 | 58,448 + 35% of the amount over 256,225 |
| 640,600 and above | 192,979.25 + 37% of the amount over 640,600 |
| Married filing jointly or Surviving Spouses | |
| If taxable income is between: | The tax is: |
| $0 – 24,800 | 10% of taxable income |
| 24,800 – 100,800 | $2,480 + 12% of the amount over 24,800 |
| 100,800 – 211,400 | 11,600 + 22% of the amount over 100,800 |
| 211,400 – 403,550 | 35,932 + 24% of the amount over 211,400 |
| 403,550 – 512,450 | 82,048 + 32% of the amount over 403,550 |
| 512,450 – 768,700 | 116,896 + 35% of the amount over 512,450 |
| 768,700 and above | 206,583.5 + 37% of the amount over 768,700 |
| Head of household | |
| If taxable income is between: | The tax is: |
| $0 – 17,700 | 10% of taxable income |
| 17,700 – 67,450 | $1,770 + 12% of the amount over 17,700 |
| 67,450 – 105,700 | 7,740 + 22% of the amount over 67,450 |
| 105,700 – 201,750 | 16,155 + 24% of the amount over 105,700 |
| 201,750 – 256,200 | 39,207 + 32% of the amount over 201,750 |
| 256,200 – 640,600 | 56,631 + 35% of the amount over 256,200 |
| 640,600 and above | 191,171 + 37% of the amount over 640,600 |
| Married filing separately | |
| If taxable income is between: | The tax is: |
| $0 – 12,400 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12,400 – 50,400 | $1,240 + 12% of the amount over 12,400 |
| 50,400 – 105,700 | 5,800 + 22% of the amount over 50,400 |
| 105,700 – 201,775 | 17,966 + 24% of the amount over 105,700 |
| 201,775 – 256,225 | 41,024 + 32% of the amount over 201,775 |
| 256,225 – 384,350 | 58,448 + 35% of the amount over 256,225 |
| 384,350 and above | 103,291.75 + 37% of the amount over 384,350 |
Basic standard deduction
| Single | Married filing jointly and SS | Head of household | Married filing separately |
| $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 | $16,100 |
Each additional standard deduction (65 or over or blind):
| Single | Married filing jointly and SS | Head of household | Married filing separately |
| $2,050 | $1,650 | $2,050 | $1,650 |
FICA (employment tax)
| Employer-side Social Security | 6.2% on first $183,600 (projected) |
| Employer-side Medicare | 1.45% uncapped |
| Employee-side Social Security | 6.2% on first $183,600 (projected) |
| Employee-side Medicare | 1.45% uncapped |
| Employee-side Additional Medicare | 0.9% above $200K (single)/$250K (MFJ) |
| Total on first $183,600 | 7.65% employer/7.65% employee |
SECA (self-employment tax)
| Social Security | 12.4% on first $183,600 (projected) |
| Medicare | 2.9% uncapped |
| Additional Medicare | 0.9% above $200K (single)/$250K (MFJ) |
| Total on first $183,600 | 15.3% |
Capital Gains Rates
The tax rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on the amount of adjusted net taxable gain as shown below.
| Single taxpayers | |
| $0 – 49,450 | 0% |
| 49,450 – 545,500 | 15% |
| Above 545,500 | 20% |
| Married filing jointly or SS | |
| $0 – 98,900 | 0% |
| 98,900 – 613,700 | 15% |
| Above 613,700 | 20% |
| Head of household | |
| $0 – 66,200 | 0% |
| 66,200 – 579,600 | 15% |
| Above 579,600 | 20% |
| Married filing separately | |
| $0 – 49,450 | 0% |
| 49,450 – 306,850 | 15% |
| Above 306,850 | 20% |
Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Amount
| Single | Married filing jointly and SS | Head of household | Married filing separately |
| $90,100 | $140,200 | $90,100 | $70,100 |
For 2026, a taxpayer’s AMT is initially determined as the sum of 26% of the first $244,500 (or $122,250, in the case of married taxpayers filing separately) of alternative minimum tax income (AMTI) in excess of the allowable exemption amount and 28% of any additional AMTI.
Gift Tax Exclusion
The annual exclusion in 2026 for gift tax purposes is $19,000, meaning you can gift $19,000 to as many people as you want without any federal gift tax consequences. If you split your gift with your spouse, the amount is $38,000 per person.
Mike Baker frequently advises with respect to tax rates. He possesses a breadth and depth of experience in tax and employee benefits & compensation law that spans multiple decades. For additional information, please contact mike@mbakertaxlaw.com.