Taxes & Income · Glossary
Tax bracket
A range of taxable income taxed at one rate. The U.S. has seven federal brackets, and each rate applies only to the income inside its range.
The 2026 federal rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. Where each bracket starts depends on your filing status.
Because the system is progressive, your income is spread across the brackets, not taxed entirely at your top rate. That's the difference between your marginal and effective tax rates. Full thresholds are on the tax brackets page.
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Disclaimer: Definitions are general education, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures are for the 2026 tax year unless noted.