USA 2026 • Marginal vs. Effective Rate
Tax Bracket Calculator
Find out exactly what tax bracket you're in for 2026, your marginal rate, your effective rate, and how much room is left before you hit the next bracket.
"What tax bracket am I in?" is a simpler question than "how much tax do I owe" — and it deserves a simpler answer. This tool skips the deductions, credits, and state tax detail and goes straight to the number people actually want: your current marginal bracket, how that compares to your real effective rate, and how much income you have left before crossing into the next bracket.
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Not sure about deductions? Use gross income minus the 2026 standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 married filing jointly / $22,500 head of household) as a quick estimate.
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Enter your taxable income
Marginal rate • Effective rate • Room left
Frequently Asked Questions
What tax bracket am I in for 2026?
Your tax bracket depends on your taxable income (after deductions) and filing status. For 2026 single filers, the brackets are 10% up to $11,925, 12% up to $48,475, 22% up to $103,350, 24% up to $197,300, 32% up to $250,525, 35% up to $626,350, and 37% above that. Married filing jointly thresholds are roughly double.
What is the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income — the bracket you're technically "in". Your effective rate is your total tax divided by your total income, which is always lower because the US uses a progressive system where each bracket only taxes the income within that range, not your entire income.
Does moving into a higher tax bracket mean I lose money?
No. Only the portion of income that falls within the higher bracket is taxed at that higher rate. Income in lower brackets continues to be taxed at lower rates. A raise that pushes you into a new bracket will always increase your take-home pay, just not by quite as much as it would have at the old rate.
How much income can I earn before hitting the next bracket?
This calculator shows the exact dollar amount remaining in your current bracket before you cross into the next one, based on your taxable income (gross income minus deductions), not your gross salary.
Do tax brackets change every year?
Yes. The IRS adjusts bracket thresholds annually for inflation. The dollar ranges shown here reflect 2026 figures and will shift again for the 2027 tax year.