Navigating tax regulations can be complex. This 2026 Tax Reference Guide summarizes key federal tax information for easy reference.
Tax rules and limits change each year, and staying informed can help support more effective planning conversations. This 2026 Tax Reference Guide provides a high-level snapshot of current federal tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, Social Security thresholds, and other commonly referenced figures—all in one place for easy reference.
Download the printable guide as a starting point and consult with your tax or financial advisors to understand how this information may apply to your personal situation.
This guide includes federal income tax brackets, capital gains rates, standard deductions, retirement plan contribution limits, required minimum distribution (RMD) tables, estate and gift tax figures, and Social Security thresholds.
The information provided is accurate as of January 2026 but is subject to change.
Taxable income (i.e., income minus deductions and credits) between:
| Tax Bracket | Married, Joint |
|---|---|
| $0 - $24,800 | 10% |
| $24,801 - $100,800 | 12% |
| $100,801 - $211,400 | 22% |
| $211,401 - $403,550 | 24% |
| $403,551 - $512,450 | 32% |
| $512,451 - $768,700 | 35% |
| Over $768,700 | 37% |
| Capital gains/qualified dividends | |
| $0 - $98,900 | 0% |
| $98,901 - $613,700 | 15% |
| Over $613,700 | 20% |
| Tax Bracket | Married, Separate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $12,400 | 10% |
| $12,401 - $50,400 | 12% |
| $50,401 - $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,701 - $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,776 - $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,226 - $384,350 | 35% |
| Over $384,350 | 37% |
| Capital gains/qualified dividends | |
| $0 - $49,450 | 0% |
| $49,451 - $306,850 | 15% |
| Over $306,850 | 20% |
| Tax Bracket | Single |
|---|---|
| $0 - $12,400 | 10% |
| $12,401 - $50,400 | 12% |
| $50,401 - $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,701 - $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,776 - $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,226 - $640,600 | 35% |
| Over $640,600 | 37% |
| Capital Gains/Qualified Dividends | |
| $0 - $49,450 | 0% |
| $49,451 - $545,500 | 15% |
| Over $545,500 | 20% |
| Tax Bracket | Head of Household |
|---|---|
| $0 - $17,700 | 10% |
| $17,701 - $67,450 | 12% |
| $67,451 - $105,700 | 22% |
| $105,701 - $201,775 | 24% |
| $201,776 - $256,225 | 32% |
| $256,226 - $640,600 | 35% |
| Over $640,600 | 37% |
| Capital Gains/Qualified Dividends | |
| $0 - $66,200 | 0% |
| $66,201 - $579,600 | 15% |
| Over $579,600 | 20% |
| Tax Bracket | Trusts & Estates |
|---|---|
| $0 - $3,300 | 10% |
| $3,301 - $11,700 | 24% |
| $11,701 - $16,000 | 35% |
| Over $16,000 | 37% |
| Capital Gains/Qualified Dividends | |
| $0 - $3,300 | 0% |
| $3,301 - $16,250 | 15% |
| Over $16,250 | 20% |
| Tax Type | |
|---|---|
| Corporate | 21% |
| Filing Status | Standard Deduction |
|---|---|
| MFJ (Married Filing Jointly) | $32,200 |
| S (Single); MFS (Married Filing Separately) | $16,100 |
| HOH (Head of Household) | $24,150 |
| Blind or >65 | +$1,650 if M +$2,050 if S or HOH |
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| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| IRA & Roth IRA Contribution Limits | |
| Under Age 50 | $7,500 |
| Age 50 and Over | $8,600 |
| MAGI Phaseout Ranges for Contributions to Traditional IRAs | |
| MFJ (Contributor covered by workplace retirement plan) | $129,000 - $149,000 |
| MFJ (Spouse covered, contributor NOT covered) | $242,000 - $252,000 |
| MFS | $0 - $10,000 |
| Single, HOH | $81,000 - $91,000 |
| MAGI Phaseout Ranges for Contributions to Roth IRAs | |
| MFJ | $242,000 - $252,000 |
| MFS | $0 - $10,000 |
| Single, HOH | $153,000 - $168,000 |
| 401(k), 403(b), 457 Elective Deferral Limits | |
| Under Age 50 | $23,500 |
| Age 50+ (standard catch-up) | $31,000 |
| Age 60 - 63 (super catch-up) | $35,750 |
| Simple IRA Elective Deferral Limits | |
| Under Age 50 | $17,000 |
| Age 50 and Over | $21,000 |
| SEP Contribution Limits | |
| Contribution Limit | $72,000 |
| Compensation Percentage Limit | Up to 25% of compensation. Minimum compensation $800. |
| Defined Contribution & Benefit Plan Limits | |
| Limit on Annual Additions to Defined Contribution Plans | $72,000 |
| Annual Benefit Limit Under Defined Benefit Plan | $290,000 |
| Limitation Used in Defining Highly Compensated Employees | $160,000 |
| Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Contribution Limits | |
| Single | $4,400 |
| Family | $8,750 |
| Age 55 and Over (Catch-up) | $1,000 |
| Taxpayer’s Age | Life Expectancy | Taxpayer’s Age | Life Expectancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 27.4 | 95 | 8.9 |
| 73 | 26.5 | 96 | 8.4 |
| 74 | 25.5 | 97 | 7.8 |
| 75 | 24.6 | 98 | 7.3 |
| 76 | 23.7 | 99 | 6.8 |
| 77 | 22.9 | 100 | 6.4 |
| 78 | 22.0 | 101 | 6.0 |
| 79 | 21.1 | 102 | 5.6 |
| 80 | 20.2 | 103 | 5.2 |
| 81 | 19.4 | 104 | 4.9 |
| 82 | 18.5 | 105 | 4.6 |
| 83 | 17.7 | 106 | 4.3 |
| 84 | 16.8 | 107 | 4.1 |
| 85 | 16.0 | 108 | 3.9 |
| 86 | 15.2 | 109 | 3.7 |
| 87 | 14.4 | 110 | 3.5 |
| 88 | 13.7 | 111 | 3.4 |
| 89 | 12.9 | 112 | 3.3 |
| 90 | 12.2 | 113 | 3.1 |
| 91 | 11.5 | 114 | 3.0 |
| 92 | 10.8 | 115 | 2.9 |
| 93 | 10.1 | 116 | 2.8 |
| 94 | 9.5 | 117 | 2.7 |
Use to calculate Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs and qualified plans after owner's death. See IRS Pub. 590 for complete table of ages 0 through 111+.
| Age | Life Expectancy | Age | Life Expectancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 46.7 | 63 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 45.7 | 64 | 23.7 |
| 41 | 44.8 | 65 | 22.9 |
| 42 | 43.8 | 66 | 22.0 |
| 43 | 42.9 | 67 | 21.2 |
| 44 | 41.9 | 68 | 20.4 |
| 45 | 41.0 | 69 | 19.6 |
| 46 | 40.0 | 70 | 18.8 |
| 47 | 39.0 | 71 | 18.0 |
| 48 | 38.1 | 72 | 17.2 |
| 49 | 37.1 | 73 | 16.4 |
| 50 | 36.2 | 74 | 15.6 |
| 51 | 35.3 | 75 | 14.8 |
| 52 | 34.3 | 76 | 14.1 |
| 53 | 33.4 | 77 | 13.3 |
| 54 | 32.5 | 78 | 12.6 |
| 55 | 31.6 | 79 | 11.9 |
| 56 | 30.6 | 80 | 11.2 |
| 57 | 29.8 | 81 | 10.5 |
| 58 | 28.9 | 82 | 9.9 |
| 59 | 28.0 | 83 | 9.3 |
| 60 | 27.1 | 84 | 8.7 |
| 61 | 26.2 | 85 | 8.1 |
| 62 | 25.4 | 86 | 7.6 |
| Birth Year | Age When RMDs Start |
|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | 72 (70 ½ for those who turned prior to 2020) |
| 1951 to 1959 | 73 |
| 1960 or later | 75 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount Needed to Earn One Credit | $1,890 |
| Amount Needed to Earn Four Credits | $7,560 |
| Social Security and Medicare Tax Rates | |
| Employee | 7.65% |
| Employer | 7.65% |
| Self-Employed | 15.30% |
| Max. Monthly Retirement Benefit at Full Retirement Age | $4,152 |
| 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment | 2.8% |
| Max. Earnings Subject to Tax | $184,500 |
| Income Causing Taxable Social Security Benefits | |
| Married, Joint – 50% taxable | $32,000 MAGI |
| Married, Joint – 85% taxable | $44,000 MAGI |
| Single – 50% taxable | $25,000 MAGI |
| Single – 85% taxable | $34,000 MAGI |
| Maximum Earnings Before Social Security Reduced | |
| Under Full Retirement Age ($1 withheld for every $2 earned) | $24,480 |
| MAGI (2024 Income) | Part B IRMAA Surcharge | Total Monthly Part B Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Married, Joint | ||
| ≤ $109,000 | ≤ $218,000 | $0 | $202.90 |
| $109,000 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $81.20 | $284.10 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $202.90 | $405.80 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $324.60 | $527.50 |
| $205,001 – $499,999 | $410,001 – $749,999 | $446.30 | $649.20 |
| ≥ $500,000 | ≥ $750,000 | $689.90 | $689.90 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Gift Tax Exclusion | $19,000 |
| Estate and Gift Tax Rate | 40% |
| Estate Tax Exemption | $15,000,000 |
| Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption | $15,000,000 |
| Generation-Skipping-Transfer Tax Exemption | $15,000,000 |
| Annual Gift Tax Exclusion for Noncitizen Spouses | $194,000 |
Midland Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your taxes are prepared.
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