Tax Bracket Calculator

Calculate your federal income tax, marginal rate, and effective tax rate. Understand how tax brackets work.

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How Tax Brackets Work

The US uses progressive taxation — your income is split across brackets, and each portion is taxed at its own rate. Moving into a higher bracket does not tax all your income at the higher rate; only the dollars above the threshold.

2024 Federal Tax Brackets (Single)

10% on income up to $11,600
12% on $11,601 to $47,150
22% on $47,151 to $100,525
24% on $100,526 to $191,950
32% on $191,951 to $243,725
35% on $243,726 to $609,350
37% on income over $609,350

Marginal vs Effective Rate Example

If you earn $60,000 (single, no deductions for simplicity):

First $11,600 taxed at 10% = $1,160
$11,601-$47,150 taxed at 12% = $4,266
$47,151-$60,000 taxed at 22% = $2,827
Total tax: $8,253
Marginal rate: 22% (your highest bracket)
Effective rate: $8,253 ÷ $60,000 = 13.8% (your actual average rate)

Standard Deduction (2024)

Single: $14,600
Married filing jointly: $29,200
Head of household: $21,900

The standard deduction reduces your taxable income before brackets are applied. A single filer earning $60,000 has a taxable income of $45,400, dropping their effective rate further.

Common Ways to Reduce Taxable Income

401(k)/403(b) contributions: Up to $23,000/year ($30,500 if 50+) reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
Traditional IRA: Up to $7,000/year ($8,000 if 50+) may be deductible depending on income and employer plan
HSA contributions: Triple tax advantage — deductible going in, grows tax-free, withdrawals tax-free for medical expenses. $4,150 single / $8,300 family limit
Student loan interest: Deduct up to $2,500/year
Itemize deductions: Mortgage interest, state/local taxes (up to $10,000 SALT cap), and charitable donations. Only worthwhile if total exceeds the standard deduction

Common Tax Misconceptions

"A raise can push me into a higher bracket and I'll take home less" — False. Only the income above the new bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A raise always increases take-home pay
"I should decline overtime to stay in my bracket" — False, for the same reason. More gross pay always means more net pay
"My tax bracket is my tax rate" — Your marginal rate applies only to your last dollar. Your effective rate (actual taxes ÷ total income) is always lower

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do tax brackets work?

US income tax is progressive: each slice of taxable income is taxed at the rate of the bracket it falls in, not at one rate for the whole amount. For a single filer in 2026, the first $12,400 is taxed at 10 percent, income from there up to $50,400 at 12 percent, and income up to $105,700 at 22 percent.

Does a raise push all my income into a higher tax bracket?

No. Only the dollars above a bracket threshold are taxed at the higher rate, and everything below keeps its lower rate. A raise that crosses from the 12 percent into the 22 percent bracket costs 22 cents in federal income tax on each new dollar above the line, so take-home pay always rises.

What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?

The marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of taxable income, the rate of your top bracket. The effective rate is total tax divided by total income, the average across all brackets. A single filer earning $60,000 in 2026 is in the 12 percent bracket but pays an effective federal rate of about 8.4 percent.

What is the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit?

A deduction lowers taxable income, while a credit lowers the tax bill dollar for dollar. A $1,000 credit saves exactly $1,000. A $1,000 deduction saves $220 for someone in the 22 percent bracket and $120 in the 12 percent bracket, so a credit is worth more than a deduction of the same size.