2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction: what you'll take home
The 2026 brackets, the larger standard deduction, the new $184,500 Social Security wage base and what they mean for your paycheck, with examples at three salaries.
Three things decide most of what comes out of a US paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (together called FICA), and state income tax where you live. The IRS adjusts the federal tax brackets and standard deduction for inflation every year, so the figures for 2026 are a little higher than in 2025. This guide sets out the 2026 federal tax brackets, the standard deduction and FICA rates, and shows how much you take home at different salaries.
The 2026 standard deduction
For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. Income below the standard deduction is not taxed at all. Most Americans take the standard deduction, but if your mortgage interest, state and local taxes and charitable gifts add up to more, you can itemize instead.
2026 federal income tax brackets
The brackets apply to taxable income, which is your income after the standard deduction and any pre-tax contributions:
- 10%: up to $12,400 single / $24,800 joint
- 12%: up to $50,400 / $100,800
- 22%: up to $105,700 / $211,400
- 24%: up to $201,775 / $403,550
- 32%: up to $256,225 / $512,450
- 35%: up to $640,600 / $768,700
- 37%: above that
These are marginal rates. Moving into a higher bracket only means the extra dollars are taxed at the higher rate; the rest of your income keeps its lower rates. Your average, or effective, tax rate is therefore always lower than your top bracket.
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500. Earnings above that are not subject to Social Security tax. Medicare takes 1.45% of all wages, with no cap, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for joint filers. Your employer pays a matching 6.2% and 1.45%.
Worked examples (federal only, no 401(k))
$50,000, single. Taxable income after the standard deduction is $33,900. Federal income tax is $3,820, Social Security $3,100 and Medicare $725. Take-home pay is $42,355 before state tax.
$75,000, single. Federal income tax is $7,670, Social Security $4,650 and Medicare $1,087.50. Take-home pay is $61,592.50 before state tax.
$150,000, married filing jointly. Federal income tax is $15,340, Social Security $9,300 and Medicare $2,175. Take-home pay is $123,185 before state tax.
How a 401(k) and state tax change the picture
Contributions to a traditional 401(k) lower your federal income tax but not Social Security or Medicare. If the single earner on $75,000 contributes $5,000, taxable income falls from $58,900 to $53,900, which stays in the 22% bracket, so federal tax falls by $1,100. Read our guide to 401(k) and IRA limits for 2026, and compare Roth and traditional accounts.
State income tax varies widely. Several states, including Texas, Florida and Washington, have no state income tax on wages, while others charge several percent. Add your state's rate in our US paycheck calculator to see your full take-home pay.
Other pre-tax deductions
Health insurance premiums paid through your employer's plan, contributions to a health savings account and some commuter benefits are usually taken from your pay before federal income tax, and often before FICA too. That is why two people with the same salary can have different take-home pay. Our guide to the health savings account explains one of the most tax-efficient options.
Check your withholding
Your employer withholds federal tax based on the W-4 form you complete. If you have a second job, a working spouse or large investment income, review your W-4 so that you do not owe a large bill in April. A big refund, on the other hand, means you lent money to the government interest-free during the year; adjusting withholding can raise your monthly take-home pay instead. Putting that extra cash into a high-yield savings account lets it earn interest for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
$16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
$184,500. Wages above this amount are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax.
Does a 401(k) reduce FICA taxes?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce federal income tax but not Social Security or Medicare.
Sources
This article is general information, not financial advice.