Tax Bracket Calculator 2026
Find your 2026 marginal federal tax bracket and your effective tax rate, with a breakdown of how each part of your income is taxed.
Federal income tax only, using the 2026 brackets. Excludes state tax, FICA, credits and other income. Not tax advice.
Marginal vs effective tax rate
The U.S. uses a progressive tax system: your income is divided into brackets and each slice is taxed at its own rate. Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar (your top bracket). Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your total income, and it's always lower, because your first dollars are taxed at the lower rates.
A common myth is that earning more and "jumping a bracket" can lower your take-home pay. That never happens: only the income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate; everything below stays at the lower rates. A raise always leaves you with more after tax.
Example
If you're "in the 22% bracket," only the portion of your taxable income above that bracket's threshold is taxed at 22%. The breakdown on the right shows exactly how much of your income falls in each bracket and the tax on each part.
Want to lower your effective rate?
A tax accountant can find deductions and credits that bring your real tax down.
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