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Reference · 2026 tax year
2026 tax reference guide
The 2026 numbers worth keeping close: federal brackets, the standard deduction, retirement and HSA limits, capital-gains thresholds, Social Security, Medicare, estate and gift, and Ohio specifics. Checked against IRS, SSA, and CMS sources.
2026 federal income tax brackets
Federal tax is marginal. Each rate applies only to the income inside its bracket, not to your whole income.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household | Married filing separately |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,400 | $0 to $24,800 | $0 to $17,700 | $0 to $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 to $50,400 | $24,800 to $100,800 | $17,700 to $67,450 | $12,400 to $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 to $105,700 | $100,800 to $211,400 | $67,450 to $105,700 | $50,400 to $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 to $201,775 | $211,400 to $403,550 | $105,700 to $201,775 | $105,700 to $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 to $256,225 | $403,550 to $512,450 | $201,775 to $256,200 | $201,775 to $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 to $640,600 | $512,450 to $768,700 | $256,200 to $640,600 | $256,225 to $384,350 |
| 37% | $640,600 and up | $768,700 and up | $640,600 and up | $384,350 and up |
Standard deduction & senior add-ons
| Filing status | 2026 standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 |
| Add-on | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Additional (age 65+ or blind), married or surviving spouse | $1,650 per condition |
| Additional (age 65+ or blind), unmarried | $2,050 per condition |
| Bonus “senior deduction” (age 65+), 2025 to 2028 | $6,000 per person* |
| *New under the 2025 tax law and temporary through 2028. Phases out above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (MFJ) of modified AGI, and is available whether or not you itemize. | |
Long-term capital gains & qualified dividends
| Filing status | 0% rate | 15% rate | 20% rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $0 to $49,450 | $49,451 to $545,500 | Over $545,500 |
| Married filing jointly | $0 to $98,900 | $98,901 to $613,700 | Over $613,700 |
| Head of household | $0 to $66,200 | $66,201 to $579,600 | Over $579,600 |
| Married filing separately | $0 to $49,450 | $49,451 to $306,850 | Over $306,850 |
| Applies to long-term capital gains and qualified dividends, based on taxable income. | |||
Retirement contribution limits
| Account | 2026 limit |
|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and TSP elective deferral | $24,500 |
| • Catch-up, age 50 to 59 and 64+ | $8,000 |
| • Super catch-up, ages 60 to 63 | $11,250 |
| Traditional or Roth IRA | $7,500 |
| • IRA catch-up, age 50+ | $1,100 |
| SIMPLE IRA elective deferral | $17,000 |
| • SIMPLE catch-up, age 50+ / ages 60 to 63 | $4,000 / $5,250 |
| SEP-IRA (max) | $72,000 |
| Overall defined-contribution limit (§415(c)) | $72,000 |
| Annual compensation limit (§401(a)(17)) | $360,000 |
| Catch-up amounts are on top of the base limit. So an employee age 60 to 63 can defer up to $35,750 into a 401(k)-type plan; ages 50 to 59 or 64+, up to $32,500. | |
IRA income phase-outs
| 2026 modified-AGI phase-out | Single / head of household | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA contribution eligibility | $153,000 to $168,000 | $242,000 to $252,000 |
| Traditional IRA deductibility (you are an active plan participant) | $81,000 to $91,000 | $129,000 to $149,000 |
| Traditional IRA deductibility (your spouse is the active participant) | n/a | $242,000 to $252,000 |
| Married filing separately (living together): Roth and deductible-traditional phase-outs run $0 to $10,000. | ||
HSA, HDHP & FSA limits
| Health account | 2026 limit |
|---|---|
| HSA contribution (self-only / family) | $4,400 / $8,750 |
| • HSA catch-up, age 55+ | $1,000 |
| HDHP minimum deductible (self-only / family) | $1,700 / $3,400 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket max (self-only / family) | $8,500 / $17,000 |
| Health FSA salary-reduction limit | $3,400 |
| • Health FSA carryover max | $680 |
Estate & gift
| Estate & gift (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal estate & gift lifetime exclusion | $15,000,000 |
| Annual gift-tax exclusion (per recipient) | $19,000 |
| The lifetime exclusion was set at $15,000,000 for 2026 under the 2025 tax law and is indexed thereafter. Married couples can combine exclusions with proper planning. | |
Medicare Part B & IRMAA
| 2026 Part B | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Annual deductible | $283 |
| MAGI, single (2024 income) | MAGI, married filing jointly | Total Part B / mo | Part D surcharge / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | None |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 | +$14.50 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 | +$37.50 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 | +$60.40 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 | +$83.30 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 | +$91.00 |
| IRMAA (the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is based on your modified AGI from two years earlier, so 2024 income sets 2026 premiums. The Part D surcharge is added to your Part D plan premium. | |||
Other federal thresholds
| Other federal figure (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Net Investment Income Tax (3.8%), MAGI threshold | $200,000 / $250,000 (single / MFJ) |
| Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%), wage threshold | $200,000 / $250,000 (single / MFJ) |
| AMT exemption | $90,100 single / $140,200 MFJ |
| AMT exemption phase-out begins | $500,000 single / $1,000,000 MFJ |
| QBI (§199A) taxable-income threshold | $201,750 single / $403,500 MFJ |
| SALT deduction cap | $40,400* |
| Child Tax Credit (max / refundable portion) | $2,200 / $1,700 per child |
| NIIT and Additional Medicare Tax thresholds are set by statute and are not indexed for inflation (MFS: $125,000). *The SALT cap is $40,000 for 2025, rising about 1% per year through 2029, and is reduced for very high incomes. Confirm the exact 2026 figure on your Schedule A instructions. | |
Ohio & Columbus
| Ohio & Columbus (2026) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ohio individual income tax (non-business) | 2.75% flat on taxable income over $26,050 (income at or below $26,050 is untaxed) |
| Ohio business income (above the Business Income Deduction) | 3% flat; BID shields the first $250,000 (MFJ) / $125,000 (single or MFS) |
| City of Columbus municipal income tax | 2.5% on wages earned or worked in the city |
| Ohio 529 (CollegeAdvantage) state deduction | Up to $4,000 per beneficiary, per year, with unlimited carryforward of excess |
This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice, or a recommendation for any person or situation. Figures are the 2026 amounts and may not reflect every rule, phase-out, credit, or deduction that applies to you; some amounts are indexed or subject to change, and a few 2026 items may be updated by the IRS or Ohio Department of Taxation after publication. Verify against official sources and consult a qualified tax professional before acting. ClearMind Capital LLC is a registered investment adviser; registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32; IRS Notice 2025-67; IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19; Social Security Administration; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Ohio Department of Taxation; City of Columbus. Last updated 2026-08-17.
Social Security