2026 Tax Brackets Are Out: 3 Key Changes You Need to Know

Key Points

The Internal Revenue Service adjusts tax brackets higher to ensure that inflation doesn't accidentally push workers into higher brackets. President Donald Trump's large spending bill passed by Congress earlier this year also made changes to the tax code. Specifically, the standard deduction and the state and local tax deduction will change. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook ›

As the famous saying goes, there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. And every taxpayer should be aware of major changes to the tax code for the 2026 tax year. These include the tax brackets that dictate how much people will pay based on how much income they make each year.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released changes to the 2026 tax brackets, which will largely affect people in 2027 when they file their 2026 return. Here are three key changes to be aware of.Image source: Getty Images.

1. "Bracket creep"

Due to inflation, it is common for the IRS to at least slightly adjust tax brackets higher each year to account for inflation. This phenomenon is called "bracket creep," where inflation could push many people into a higher tax bracket if the brackets aren't raised. Here are the changes for single filers in 2026:

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