The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2023 (returns filed in 2024).
In America, the government decides how much tax you owe by dividing your taxable income into chunks – or “brackets” – and taxing each chunk at a different rate. Here’s a look at the current tax brackets and how our system of progressive income taxation works.
What are tax brackets?
A tax bracket describes a tax rate (percentage) and a range of income that gets taxed at that rate. There are currently seven federal income tax brackets. *
*State tax laws vary. Each state has its own set of income tax brackets and rates. To learn about how income taxes work in your state, click here.
What are the current income tax brackets?
The income tax brackets for tax year 2023 (returns that are filed in 2024) are as follows:
Single Filers
| Taxable income between: | Taxes due: |
| $0-$11,000 | 10% of taxable income |
| $11,000-$44,725 | $1,100 + 12% of the amount over $11,000 |
| $44,725-$95,375 | $5,147 + 22% of the amount over $44,725 |
| $95,375-$182,100 | $16,290 + 24% of the amount over $95,375 |
| $182,100-$231,250 | $37,104 + 32% of the amount over $182,100 |
| $231,250-$578,125 | $52,832 + 35% of the amount over $231,250 |
| $578,125+ | $174,238.25+ 37% of the amount over $578,125 |
Married Filing Separately
| Taxable income between: | Taxes due: |
| $0-$11,000 | 10% of taxable income |
| $11,000-$44,725 | $1,100 + 12% of the amount over $11,000 |
| $44,725-$95,375 | $5,147 + 22% of the amount over $44,725 |
| $95,375-$182,100 | $16,290 + 24% of the amount over $95,375 |
| $182,100-$231,250 | $37,104 + 32% of the amount over $182,100 |
| $231,250-$346,875 | $52,832 + 35% of the amount over $231,250 |
| $346,875+ | $93,300.75 + 37% of the amount over $346,875 |
Married Filing Jointly (and Qualifying Widowers with Dependent)
| Taxable income between: | Taxes due: |
| $0 to $22,000. | 10% of taxable income |
| $22,000 to $89,450. | $2,200 + 12% of the amount over $22,000 |
| $89,450 to $190,750. | $10,294 + 22% of the amount over $89,450 |
| $190,750 to $364,200. | $32,580 + 24% of the amount over $190,750 |
| $364,200 to $462,500. | $74,208 + 32% of the amount over $364,200 |
| $462,500 to $693,750. | $98,671 + 35% of the amount over $462,500 |
| $693,750+ | $186,601.50 + 37% of the amount over $693,750 |
Head of Household
| Taxable income between: | Taxes due: |
| $0 to $15,700 | 10% of taxable income |
| $15,700 to $59,850 | $1,570 + 12% of the amount over $15,700 |
| $59,850 to $95,350 | $6,868 + 22% of the amount over $59,850 |
| $95,350 to $182,100 | $14,678 + 24% of the amount over $95,350 |
| $182,100 to $215,950 | $35,498 + 32% of the amount over $182,100 |
| $215,950 to $578,100. | $51,226 + 35% of the amount over $215,950 |
| $578,100+ | $172,623 + 37% of the amount over $578,100 |
What are the tax brackets for prior year returns?
If you need the tax brackets for filing a prior year return, check out What are the new tax rates for 2023?
How do my filing status and tax credits affect my tax bracket?
It’s important to choose your filing status carefully because it determines your standard deduction and how much your income may be taxed. If you’re having trouble figuring out which filing status is right for you, read What’s My Filing Status?
While tax brackets dictate how much you pay in taxes, tax credits serve as a “discount,” which, in turn, lowers your tax bill. However, you can only claim tax credits if you choose to itemize your deductions.
What is progressive income taxation?
With progressive taxation, each tax rate only applies to the chunk of income that falls in that bracket. What this means is, depending on how much you earn, your entire income may not be taxed at the same rate. As you earn more money, you could move into a new, higher tax bracket — but only a portion of your income is taxed at the higher rate. Even taxpayers in the highest bracket have some income taxed at each of the lower rates.
Here’s an example:
A single filer with $25,000 in taxable income falls into the 12% bracket. However, they do not pay 12% of the first $11,000. Instead, they pay 10% of $11,000 plus 12% of the remaining $14,000. This will give them their total federal income tax of roughly $2,780.
What is taxable income?
Taxable income can include:
- Wages
- Your salary
- Bonuses
- Tips
- Investment income
- Unearned income
This combination of all income you received during the year is used by the IRS to calculate how much you owe for taxes. It is also known as adjusted gross income, or the income you receive minus any tax deductions or exemptions.
For more information about taxable income, read also Do I Make Enough to Pay Taxes?
How often do income tax brackets change?
The IRS bumps up the income range in the individual income tax brackets every year to account for inflation. But the rates for each bracket typically do not change unless there is a change in the tax code.