What are the new IRS tax brackets for 2025? Answers here.
Daniel de Visé Elisabeth Buchwald
USA TODAY
Jan. 13, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET
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Tax season is approaching, and millions of Americans will soon turn their attention to tax brackets.
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces new tax brackets, tiers of income that are taxed at different rates under our nation’s progressive tax system. Understanding tax brackets is key to predicting how much tax you owe.
Each tier of income is taxed at a progressively higher rate. You pay the lowest tax rate on the lowest tier of income, a slightly higher rate on the next-higher tier, and so on. The higher your taxable income, the higher your tax rate, but the highest rate applies only to the highest tier of income that you reach.
Tax brackets rise with inflation. The brackets for 2025, reflected on the tax return you file in 2026, are slightly higher than the ones for 2024.
How do tax brackets work?
Let’s say you earned $75,000 in taxable income in 2025, and you’re single. For the first $11,925 of that income, you’ll pay the lowest 2025 tax rate, 10%. For the tier of income between $11,926 and $48,475, you’ll pay a 12% tax rate. For all of your income above $48,475, you’ll pay tax at a much steeper rate, 22%.USA TODAY Shopping: Shop sales in tech, home, fashion, beauty & more curated by our editors.
There are seven tax brackets in all, each with a different tax rate.
The IRS uses inflation data to adjust tax brackets for the upcoming tax year. If you got a raise to keep up with inflation in 2025, you probably owe tax at roughly the same rate as in 2024, all else being equal. If your salary rose faster than inflation, you may have crept into a higher tax bracket. If your wages didn’t keep up with inflation, you could top out in a lower bracket.
What is the top tax bracket?
The highest individual tax bracket is 37%. In 2025, it applied to any income beyond $626,350 for single taxpayers. For married people filing jointly, the top rate kicks in at an income of $751,601.
2025 tax brackets
Here are the 2025 tax brackets, the ones that apply on the tax return you file in 2026:
For individual filers:
◾ 37% for taxable income over $626,350.
◾ 35% for income over $205,525.
◾ 32% for income over $197,300.
◾ 24% for income over $103,350.
◾ 22% for income over $48,475.
◾ 12% for income over $11,925.
◾ 10% for income up to $11,925.
For married couples filing jointly:
◾ 37% for taxable income greater than $751,600.
◾ 35% for income over $501,050.
◾ 32% for income over $394,600.
◾ 24% for income over $206,700.
◾ 22% for income over $96,950.
◾ 12% for income over $23,850.
◾ 10% for income up to $23,850.
Head of household tax bracket
For tax purposes, the IRS generally defines a head of a household as a parent who pays for more than half of a household’s expenses. Heads of household have higher income thresholds for each tax bracket than individual filers, to account for the additional costs they cover.
The head of household tax brackets for 2025 are:
◾ 37% for taxable income greater than $626,350.
◾ 35% for income over $250,500.
◾ 32% for income over $197,300.
◾ 24% for income over $103,350.
◾ 22% for income over $64,850.
◾ 12% for income over $17,000.
◾ 10% for income up to $17,000.
Tax brackets: 2026 vs 2025
The IRS has already released tax brackets for 2026, the taxes you will file in 2027.
Here are the 2026 tax brackets for individual filers:
- 37% for income over $640,600.
- 35% for income over $256,225.
- 32% for income over $201,775.
- 24% for income over $105,700.
- 22% for income over $50,400.
- 12% for income over $12,400.
- 10% for income up to $12,400.
And here are the 2026 tax brackets for married couples filing joint returns:
- 37% for income greater than $768,700.
- 35% for income over $512,450.
- 32% for income over $403,550.
- 24% for income over $211,400.
- 22% for income over $100,800.
- 12% for income over $24,800.
- 10% for income up to $24,800.
How can I lower my tax bracket?
There are many ways you can lower your tax bracket. If you’re married, filing a joint return with your spouse could qualify you for a lower tax bracket. Or, depending on your income and circumstances, you may lower your tax bracket by filing an individual return.
Another way to lower your tax bracket is by contributing to a 401(k). This will lower your taxable income. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k), contributions to a traditional Individual Retirement Account could help you qualify for a tax deduction, which could also lower your bracket.
Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today
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