What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?

Single filers: 10% up to $11,925; 12% to $48,475; 22% to $103,350; 24% to $197,300; 32% to $250,525; 35% to $626,350; 37% above. Married filing jointly brackets are approximately double. These are indexed annually for inflation.

What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?

Marginal rate: the percentage you pay on your next dollar of income. Effective rate: total tax divided by total income. On $85,000 single, your marginal rate is 22% but your effective rate is closer to 15% because the first $70,000+ is taxed at lower brackets.

How do pre-tax deductions reduce my taxes?

Each dollar you contribute to a 401(k), HSA, or FSA reduces your taxable income by one dollar. If you are in the 22% bracket, a $5,000 401(k) contribution saves $1,100 in federal taxes — your actual cost is only $3,900. This is the core case for maximizing pre-tax retirement accounts.

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2026 Federal Tax Bracket Calculator — Your Marginal & Effective Rate

Calculate your exact federal tax, marginal bracket, effective rate, and annual take-home pay for 2026.

Tax Bracket 2026 — What Is Your Effective Tax Rate? Details

Gross Annual Income$85,000

Filing Status

Pre-Tax Deductions (401k, HSA, etc.)$5,000

Results

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Estimated Federal Tax

$9,388

Taxable Income (after standard deduction)$65,400

Effective Tax Rate11.0%

Estimated Annual Take-Home$64,110

Taxable Income (after standard deduction)$65,400

Estimated Federal Tax$9,388

Effective Tax Rate11.0%

How to use

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Why This Matters

Most people confuse their marginal rate (the rate on the last dollar earned) with their effective rate (the average rate on all income). Understanding the difference is essential for deciding between Roth and Traditional retirement accounts and optimizing deductions.

How to Use It

1Enter your gross annual income
2Select your filing status
3Enter pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA contributions)
4See your estimated federal tax, effective rate, and take-home pay

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