The federal income tax rate depends on your income bracket and filing status
The United States uses a progressive tax system, which means the rate you pay increases as your income increases. You do not pay one flat rate on all your income. Instead, your income is divided into brackets, and you pay the corresponding rate only on the income that falls within each bracket.
For 2024, there are seven federal income tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37%. The brackets themselves change each year based on inflation. Your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — determines which bracket your income falls into.
For 2025, the brackets have shifted slightly due to inflation adjustments. The rates remain the same (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%), but the income ranges for each bracket are wider than they were in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Federal tax brackets for 2024 range from 10% at the lowest income level to 37% at the highest, with five brackets in between.
- Your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — determines which income range puts you in each bracket.
- The income ranges for each bracket shift annually to account for inflation, so a bracket that applied to $50,000 in 2024 may explore to a different amount in 2025.
- You only pay the higher rate on income that falls within that bracket, not on all your income.
- Standard deductions and tax deductions reduce your taxable income before the brackets are applied.
2024 federal tax brackets by filing status
The 2024 brackets show how much of your income is taxed at each rate. If you file as single, for example, income from $0 to $11,600 is taxed at 10%, income from $11,601 to $47,150 is taxed at 12%, and so on up to income over $578,100, which is taxed at 37%.
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0–$11,600 | $0–$23,200 | $0–$11,600 | $0–$16,550 |
| 12% | $11,601–$47,150 | $23,201–$94,300 | $11,601–$47,150 | $16,551–$63,100 |
| 22% | $47,151–$100,525 | $94,301–$201,050 | $47,151–$100,525 | $63,101–$100,500 |
| 24% | $100,526–$191,950 | $201,051–$383,900 | $100,526–$191,950 | $100,501–$191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951–$243,725 | $383,901–$487,450 | $191,951–$243,725 | $191,951–$243,700 |
| 35% | $243,726–$609,350 | $487,451–$731,200 | $243,726–$365,600 | $243,701–$609,350 |
| 37% | $609,351+ | $731,201+ | $365,601+ | $609,351+ |
Married couples filing jointly have wider brackets than single filers, which means more of your combined income falls into the lower tax rates. Married filing separately brackets are the same as single filers. Head of household brackets fall between single and married filing jointly.
2025 federal tax brackets and inflation adjustments
For 2025, the IRS adjusted all bracket ranges upward to account for inflation. The tax rates themselves did not change — they remain 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% — but the income thresholds shifted.
For a single filer in 2025, the 10% bracket now covers income up to $11,950 (compared to $11,600 in 2024). The 12% bracket runs from $11,951 to $48,475. These adjustments continue through all seven brackets. Married filing jointly filers see similar increases across their brackets.
The standard deduction also increased for 2025. Single filers can deduct $14,600 (up from $13,850 in 2024), and married couples filing jointly can deduct $29,200 (up from $27,700 in 2024). This means you subtract this amount from your gross income before explore the tax brackets.
How tax brackets actually work with an example
Many people misunderstand tax brackets and think that moving into a higher bracket means all your income is taxed at that rate. That is not how it works. You only pay the higher rate on the income that falls within that bracket.
Suppose you are single and earned $60,000 in 2024. Your first $11,600 is taxed at 10%. Your next $35,550 (from $11,601 to $47,150) is taxed at 12%. Your remaining $12,850 (from $47,151 to $60,000) is taxed at 22%. You do not pay 22% on all $60,000 — only on the portion that falls in the 22% bracket.
This is why earning more money always results in more take-home pay, even though you move into a higher bracket. The higher rate applies only to the additional income, not to what you already earned.
Standard deductions reduce your taxable income
Before the tax brackets are applied, you can subtract either the standard deduction or your itemized deductions from your gross income. Most people use the standard deduction because it is simpler and often results in a lower tax bill.
For 2024, the standard deduction is $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly. For 2025, these amounts increase to $14,600 and $29,200 respectively. If your standard deduction is $14,600 and you earned $60,000, your taxable income is only $45,400, which is then run through the tax brackets.
Older adults and people with disabilities may be able to claim an additional standard deduction. Single filers age 65 or older can add $1,850 to their standard deduction in 2024 (or $1,950 in 2025). Married couples filing jointly can each add $1,500 in 2024 (or $1,550 in 2025).
Other federal taxes beyond income tax
Federal income tax is only one type of federal tax. If you are self-employed, you also owe self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare. This is 15.3% of your net self-employment income (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare), though you can deduct half of it.
If you have investment income, you may owe capital gains tax on the profit when you sell stocks, bonds, or real estate. Long-term capital gains (assets held over one year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income level, which is lower than ordinary income tax rates. Short-term capital gains (assets held one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income.
Certain types of income, such as may have access to dividends and interest from municipal bonds, have their own tax treatment. Your total federal tax bill combines income tax, self-employment tax (if applicable), and any other federal taxes owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest federal tax rate right now?
The highest federal income tax rate is 37%, which applies to income above $609,351 for single filers in 2024 (or above $609,351 in 2025). This is the top marginal rate, meaning it only applies to income that falls within that bracket, not to all your income.
Do I pay the same tax rate on all my income?
No. The progressive tax system means different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. Your first dollars are taxed at 10%, the next portion at 12%, and so on. Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that rate.
Will the tax brackets change in 2026?
Yes, the IRS adjusts tax brackets annually for inflation. The exact amounts for 2026 will be announced by the IRS in late 2025. The tax rates themselves (10%, 12%, 22%, etc.) are set by Congress and do not change unless new tax legislation is passed.
How do deductions lower my tax bill?
Deductions reduce your taxable income before the tax brackets are applied. If you earn $60,000 and claim the standard deduction of $14,600, your taxable income is $45,400. The tax brackets then explore to $45,400, not $60,000, which results in a lower tax bill.
Is federal income tax the only tax I owe?
No. You may also owe state and local income taxes, self-employment tax if you are self-employed, capital gains tax on investment profits, and payroll taxes if you are an employee. Your total tax burden depends on your income sources and where you live.