The short answer
Your income is taxed in layers: the first slice at 10%, the next at 12%, and so on. Only the dollars inside each layer get that layer's rate, so moving into a higher bracket only taxes the extra dollars at the higher rate. A raise never lowers your take-home pay because of brackets.
Last reviewed: October 2026
See your own numbers
Our free tax bracket calculator shows your tax figured one bracket at a time, with your marginal and effective rates.
An example
A single filer earns $65,000 in 2026. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $48,900.
- The first $12,400 is taxed at 10%: $1,240
- The next $36,500 is taxed at 12%: $4,380
- Total federal income tax: $5,620
This person is "in the 12% bracket," but pays about 8.6% of their income in federal income tax.
Marginal vs. effective rate
- Marginal rate: the rate on your last dollar. Use it to see what a raise, overtime or a deduction is worth.
- Effective rate: total tax divided by income. It's what you pay on average, and it's always lower.
2026 brackets at a glance
- Single: 10% up to $12,400; 12% to $50,400; 22% to $105,700; 24% to $201,775; 32% to $256,225; 35% to $640,600; 37% above.
- Married filing jointly: 10% up to $24,800; 12% to $100,800; 22% to $211,400; 24% to $403,550; 32% to $512,450; 35% to $768,700; 37% above.
Brackets apply to taxable income, after deductions. Long-term capital gains have their own rates. See capital gains.
Official source: IRS: Federal income tax rates and brackets.
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Disclaimer: This page is general information, not tax advice. Every situation is different, and tax rules change. Reading this page doesn't make you a client.