Tax Bracket Calculator
Find the bracket you are actually in — and the rate you actually pay across your whole income.
Your bracket
22%
Rate on your next dollar earned
Effective rate
11.6%
Total federal tax divided by income
2026 brackets
Highlighted row is the bracket your last dollar lands in.
| Rate | Taxable income | Your income here | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $12,400 | $1,240 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $38,000 | $4,560 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $18,500 | $4,070 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | — | — |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | — | — |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | — | — |
| 37% | $640,600 and up | — | — |
- Total income
- $85,000
- Standard deduction
- −$16,100
- Taxable income
- $68,900
- Federal income tax
- $9,870
- Self-employment tax
- $0
- Total federal tax
- $9,870
Federal only — state tax is not included here. Assumes the standard deduction and does not model credits or phase-outs. For a full picture including state tax and what you'll owe or get back, use our tax refund calculator.
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What is the Tax Bracket Calculator?
The Tax Bracket Calculator shows which 2026 federal bracket your last dollar lands in, what share of your income you actually pay once every bracket is accounted for, and precisely how many dollars sit inside each band. Most bracket tools print a static table; this one places your income inside it.
How is it calculated?
The United States taxes income in slices. Your first dollars are taxed at 10%, the next band at 12%, and so on. Being "in the 22% bracket" never means 22% of everything you earn — only the portion above that bracket's floor. The calculator subtracts your standard deduction, walks your taxable income through each band, and reports both the marginal rate and the effective rate.
Worked example: $85,000 of income for a single filer
- Subtract the standard deduction
$85,000 minus the $16,100 standard deduction leaves $68,900 of taxable income. Brackets apply to this number, never to gross pay.
- The first slice is taxed at 10%
The first $12,400 is taxed at 10%, which is $1,240.
- The second slice at 12%
Income from $12,400 to $50,400 — $38,000 of it — is taxed at 12%, adding $4,560.
- The rest at 22%
The remaining $18,500 above $50,400 is taxed at 22%, adding $4,070.
- Add it up
Total federal income tax is $9,870. Your marginal bracket is 22%, but your effective rate is 11.6%.
- Why the gap matters
A raise is taxed at your marginal rate, so 22% is the number that matters when weighing extra work. A deduction also saves you at the marginal rate — which is why write-offs are worth more than most people assume.
2026 federal tax brackets, single filers
| Rate | Taxable income | Your income here | Tax from this bracket |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37% | $640,600 and up | — | — |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | — | — |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | — | — |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | — | — |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $18,500 | $4,070 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $38,000 | $4,560 |
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $12,400 | $1,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is what the next dollar you earn is taxed at — your bracket. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income. In the example above the marginal rate is 22% while the effective rate is only 11.6%, because the earlier slices were taxed at 10% and 12%.
Does moving into a higher bracket reduce my take-home pay?
No. Only the income above the new bracket's threshold is taxed at the higher rate. Earning one dollar more never leaves you with less after tax. The idea that a raise can cost you money is one of the most persistent myths in personal finance.
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
For 2026 the seven rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. For single filers the 10% band runs to $12,400 of taxable income and the 37% rate begins above $640,600. For married couples filing jointly the top rate begins above $768,700. The standard deduction is $16,100 single and $32,200 married filing jointly.
Do self-employed people pay a different bracket?
No — the same income tax brackets apply. But self-employment income also carries self-employment tax of roughly 15.3% on net profit, charged on top of income tax. That is why a self-employed person's effective rate can exceed their income tax bracket.
How do deductions affect my bracket?
Deductions come off the top of your income, so they save tax at your marginal rate rather than your effective rate. A $1,000 deduction for someone in the 22% bracket saves $220. This is why tracking business expenses is worth more than most self-employed people expect.