The IRS has officially raised the standard deduction for the 2026 tax year to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, per Rev. Proc. 2025-32. That’s an increase of roughly 2.7% across the board — the same inflation factor the agency applied to every bracket, threshold, and contribution limit for 2026.
Below is every number you need for tax planning, retirement contributions, Social Security, and Medicare in 2026 — all sourced from the IRS and SSA, all effective now.
The $15,750 Standard Deduction and How It Compares to 2025
For most taxpayers, the standard deduction is the single biggest line item that reduces taxable income. In 2025, the amounts were $15,000 (single), $30,000 (married filing jointly), and $22,500 (head of household). Every filing status got a $750 or $1,125 bump for 2026.
| Filing Status | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $15,000 | $15,750 | +$750 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $30,000 | $31,500 | +$1,500 |
| Head of Household | $22,500 | $23,625 | +$1,125 |
If you’re 65 or older or blind, you still get an additional standard deduction on top of these amounts. The higher base means fewer people need to itemize — the IRS estimates roughly 90% of filers take the standard deduction under the current framework.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets: The 37% Top Rate Stays, but Thresholds Shift Up ~2.7%
The seven-bracket structure and the top marginal rate of 37% remain unchanged for 2026. What moved is where each bracket begins and ends, indexed upward by approximately 2.7% from 2025. That means you can earn slightly more before crossing into the next rate.
For a single filer, the 10% bracket covers the first portion of taxable income (after the $15,750 standard deduction), and the 37% rate applies only to taxable income well above $600,000. Married-joint thresholds are roughly double the single amounts at most levels.
The $24,500 401(k) Limit and Who Gets the $11,250 Super Catch-Up
Employer-sponsored retirement plans got a meaningful boost. The employee deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans rises from $23,500 in 2025 to $24,500 in 2026. That’s $1,000 more you can shelter from income tax this year.
The catch-up contribution for workers age 50 and older is $8,000, bringing their total possible deferral to $32,500. But the headline feature created by SECURE 2.0 is the super catch-up: if you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026, you can contribute an extra $11,250 instead of $8,000 — for a total of $35,750.
Once you turn 64, you drop back to the standard $8,000 catch-up. This is a narrow four-year window, so plan accordingly.
Show the math: 2026 Tax Savings From the Higher Standard Deduction (Single Filer at 22% Bracket)
IRA Contributions Rise to $7,500 — Plus a $1,100 Catch-Up at 50
The IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500, up from $7,000 in 2025. If you’re 50 or older, the catch-up is $1,100, giving you a ceiling of $8,600. This applies to both Traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
Roth IRA income phase-outs also shift upward with inflation. If your modified AGI exceeds the threshold for your filing status, your allowable Roth contribution shrinks or disappears — but the backdoor Roth strategy (contribute to a Traditional IRA, then convert) remains available regardless of income.
HSA Limits Hit $4,400 Self-Only and $8,750 Family in 2026
Health Savings Account contribution limits continue their steady climb. For 2026, you can contribute up to $4,400 for self-only coverage or $8,750 for family coverage. The $1,000 catch-up for those 55 and older is unchanged and not indexed to inflation.
| Account | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| HSA – Self-only | $4,300 | $4,400 |
| HSA – Family | $8,550 | $8,750 |
| FSA (healthcare) | $3,300 | $3,400 |
| IRA | $7,000 | $7,500 |
| 401(k) employee | $23,500 | $24,500 |
The healthcare FSA limit rises to $3,400 for 2026. Unlike HSAs, FSA funds generally must be used within the plan year (or a short grace period), so estimate your medical spending carefully before electing a contribution amount.
Social Security’s 2.5% COLA and the $176,100 Wage Base for 2026
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, effective with January payments. That brings the average retired-worker benefit to about $1,976 per month and the maximum benefit at full retirement age to roughly $4,018 per month.
The maximum taxable earnings cap — the income ceiling subject to the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax — jumps to $176,100. If you earn above that amount, you stop paying Social Security tax on the excess (though the 1.45% Medicare tax has no cap).
Full retirement age remains 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. If you’re still working and collecting benefits before FRA, the earnings test withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. In the calendar year you reach FRA, the threshold jumps to $62,160, and the withholding rate drops to $1 per $3.
Maria is 61, earns $140,000, and maxes out her 401(k). She’s deciding how much to contribute for 2026 now that the super catch-up exists for ages 60–63.
SSI federal payment maximums for 2026 are $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple.
Medicare Part B Premium Rises to $206.50/Month — IRMAA Starts at $106,000
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $206.50 per month, and the annual Part B deductible is $257. Both are deducted from Social Security checks for most enrollees.
Higher earners pay more through IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). For 2026, the surcharge kicks in at modified AGI above $106,000 for single filers and $212,000 for married couples filing jointly. IRMAA is based on your tax return from two years prior — so your 2024 return (filed in 2025) determines your 2026 premiums.
Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions: $13.99 Million and $19,000 for 2026
The federal estate tax exclusion for 2026 is $13.99 million per individual. Married couples can effectively shelter $27.98 million from estate tax using portability. The annual gift tax exclusion rises to $19,000 per recipient — meaning you can give $19,000 to as many people as you want without filing a gift tax return or using any of your lifetime exclusion.
This matters because the elevated exclusion is set to sunset after 2025 under the original Tax Cuts and Jobs Act timeline. However, the One Big Beautiful Bill extended the higher exclusion, which is why the $13.99 million figure applies for 2026. Monitor IRS inflation announcements for any further legislative changes.
Child Tax Credit for 2025 Returns Filed in 2026: Up to $2,200
If you’re filing your 2025 tax return right now (deadline: April 15, 2026), the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. The child must be under 17 at the end of 2025 and have a valid Social Security number. Income phase-outs begin at $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married-joint filers.
Confirm your 2026 401(k) deferral is set to $24,500 (or $32,500/$35,750 with catch-up) *
Make your 2025 IRA contribution (up to $7,000 / $8,000 at 50+) before the April 15 deadline *
Make your 2025 HSA contribution before April 15 if you didn’t max out last year *
Check whether itemizing beats the new $15,750/$31,500 standard deduction for your 2025 return *
Review your W-4 withholding to reflect 2026 bracket changes and avoid a surprise bill next April
Verify your 2024 AGI for IRMAA — if above $106,000 single/$212,000 joint, expect higher Medicare premiums
IRS Mileage Rate for 2026: 70 Cents Per Mile
The standard mileage rate for business use of a vehicle is 70 cents per mile for 2026, up from 67 cents in 2025. If you’re self-employed or have unreimbursed business travel, this rate simplifies your deduction calculation. Multiply your business miles by $0.70 and deduct the result on Schedule C or as part of your business expenses.
Key 2026 Deadlines and What Comes Next
If you live in one of the nine states with no state income tax — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming — you keep more of these federal adjustments. Everyone else should check whether their state conforms to the federal standard deduction or sets its own.
The next major announcement arrives in October 2026, when the SSA publishes the 2027 COLA and the IRS releases inflation-adjusted figures for tax year 2027. Until then, these are the numbers that govern your paycheck withholding, retirement contributions, and benefit checks for the rest of the year.
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