Married Tax Brackets 2026: Tax Brackets For Married Couples Filing Jointly For 2026
For tax year 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced updated federal income tax brackets and a higher standard deduction for all filers, including married couples filing jointly. These changes, shaped by inflation adjustments and provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” will apply to returns filed in 2027. The IRS aims to ensure that rising incomes do not push taxpayers into higher brackets unnecessarily, a phenomenon known as bracket creep.
2026 Tax Brackets for Married Couples Filing Jointly
For 2026, there are seven federal income tax brackets — 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. While the rates remain the same as in 2025, the income thresholds have been raised to account for inflation.
Federal Tax Rates (Married Filing Jointly)
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Range (Married Filing Jointly) |
|---|---|
| 10% | Up to $24,800 |
| 12% | $24,801 to $100,800 |
| 22% | $100,801 to $211,400 |
| 24% | $211,401 to $403,550 |
| 32% | $403,551 to $512,450 |
| 35% | $512,451 to $768,700 |
| 37% | Over $768,700 |
These thresholds mean that more of your household’s income will be taxed at lower rates compared to 2025, offering modest relief to many middle-income families.
Standard Deduction for 2026
The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly will increase to $32,200 in 2026, up from $31,500 in 2025. For single filers, it rises to $16,100, and for heads of households, it becomes $24,150. A higher deduction reduces your taxable income, helping to offset higher living costs caused by inflation.
What It Means for Married Couples
Here’s how these changes could impact your 2026 tax return:
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Households earning under $100,800 stay within the 12% bracket, meaning minor impact on overall liability.
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Couples with higher combined incomes may see more of their income taxed at rates below 37% due to bracket expansion.
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Those who take the standard deduction will see an additional $700 reduction in taxable income versus 2025.
These adjustments, though modest, make the progressive tax structure slightly more favorable to middle-income earners.
Key Takeaway
Married couples filing jointly in 2026 benefit from wider income brackets and a higher standard deduction. While your tax rate tiers remain identical to last year’s, the adjusted thresholds mean less income will fall into the higher brackets effectively reducing the total tax burden for many families.
If you’re preparing for 2026 tax planning, consider adjusting your withholdings and estimated payments early in the year to reflect the new IRS changes.
