Current:Home > reviewsWhat are the IRS tax brackets? What are the new federal tax brackets for 2023? Answers here -AssetLink
What are the IRS tax brackets? What are the new federal tax brackets for 2023? Answers here
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:13:38
With March Madness soon drawing to a close, millions of Americans will turn their attention from NCAA brackets to tax brackets.
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces new tax brackets, tiers of income that are taxed at different rates under our nation's progressive tax system. Understanding tax brackets is key to predicting how much tax you owe.
Each tier of income is taxed at a progressively higher rate. You pay the lowest tax rate on the lowest tier of income, a slightly higher rate on the next-higher tier, and so on. The higher your taxable income, the higher your tax rate, but the highest rate applies only to the highest tier of income that you reach.
Tax brackets rise with inflation. The brackets for 2023, reflected on the tax return you file in 2024, are slightly higher than the ones for 2022.
How do tax brackets work?
Let's say you earned $75,000 in taxable income in 2023, and you're single. For the first $11,000 of that income, you'll pay the lowest 2023 tax rate, 10%, on that tier of income. For the tier of income between $11,001 and $44,725, you'll pay a 12% tax rate. For all of your income above $44,726, you'll pay tax at a much steeper rate, 22%.
Protect your assets: Best high-yield savings accounts of 2023
There are seven tax brackets in all, each with a different tax rate.
The IRS uses inflation data to adjust tax brackets for the upcoming tax year. If you got a raise to keep up with inflation in 2023, you probably owe tax at roughly the same rate as in 2022, all else being equal. If your salary rose faster than inflation, you may have crept into a higher tax bracket. If your wages didn't keep up with inflation, you could top out in a lower bracket.
What is income tax?What to know about how it works, different types and more
What is the top tax bracket?
The highest individual tax bracket is 37%. In 2023, it applied to any income beyond $578,125 for single people. For married people filing jointly, the top rate kicks in at $693,750 in income. (For marrieds filing separately, the cutoff is $346,875.)
2023 tax brackets
Here are the 2023 tax brackets, the ones that apply on the tax return you file in 2024:
For individual filers:
◾ 37% for incomes over $578,125.
◾ 35% for incomes over $231,250.
◾ 32% for incomes over $182,100.
◾ 24% for incomes over $95,375.
◾ 22% for incomes over $44,725.
◾ 12% for incomes over $11,000.
◾ 10% for income below $11,000.
For married couples filing jointly:
◾ 37% for income greater than $693,750.
◾ 35% for incomes over $462,500.
◾ 32% for incomes over $364,200.
◾ 24% for incomes over $190,750.
◾ 22% for incomes over $89,450.
◾ 12% for incomes over $22,000.
◾ 10% for income below $22,000.
Head of household tax bracket
For tax purposes, the IRS generally defines a head of a household as a parent who pays for more than half of a household's expenses. Heads of household have higher income thresholds for each tax bracket than individual filers, to account for the additional costs they cover.
The head of household tax brackets for 2023 are:
- 37% on the portion of income above $578,100.
- 35% on the portion of income between $231,251 and $578,100.
- 32% on the portion of income between $182,101 and $231,250.
- 24% on the portion of income between $95,351 and $182,100.
- 22% on the portion of income between $59,851 and $95,350.
- 12% on the portion of income between $15,701 and $59,850.
- 10% on income below $15,700.
More on taxes:Older adults can save on 2023 taxes by claiming an extra deduction. Here's how to do it.
Tax brackets: 2024 vs 2023
The IRS has already released tax brackets for 2024, the taxes you will file in 2025.
For the top individual tax bracket, the 2024 income threshold was raised from $578,126 to $609,351. This means that more than $30,000 in individual income will be taxed at 35% instead of 37%.
Here are the other 2024 tax brackets for individual filers:
- 35% for incomes over $243,725.
- 32% for incomes over $191,950.
- 24% for incomes over $100,525.
- 22% for incomes over $47,150.
- 12% for incomes over $11,600.
- 10% for income below $11,600.
And here are the 2024 tax brackets for married couples filing joint returns:
- 37% for income greater than $731,200.
- 35% for incomes over $487,450.
- 32% for incomes over $383,900.
- 24% for incomes over $201,050.
- 22% for incomes over $94,300.
- 12% for incomes over $23,200.
- 10% for income below $23,200.
How can I lower my tax bracket?
There are many ways you can lower your tax bracket. If you're married, filing a joint return with your spouse could qualify you for a lower tax bracket. Or, depending on your income and circumstances, you may lower your tax bracket by filing an individual return.
Another way to lower your tax bracket is by contributing to a 401(k). This will lower your taxable income, which can put you in a lower bracket. If your employer doesn't offer a 401(k), contributions to a traditional Individual Retirement Account could help you qualify for a tax deduction, which could also lower your bracket.
You might also consider taking the standard deduction instead of itemized deductions, a choice that could put you in a lower bracket, depending on your financial situation.
More of your 2024 tax season questions answered
Tax return extensions:Why you should (or shouldn't) do it and how to request one
Ghost preparers stiff you and leave you with a tax mess. Know the red flags to avoid them.
When is Tax Day 2024?Deadlines for filing tax returns, extensions and what you need to know
Waiting on your tax refund?Here's why your return may be taking longer this year
What is capital gains tax?What to know about long-term vs short-term capital gains
Could you be missing important tax dates? Here are tax milestone birthdays to know.
2025 COLA estimate increases with inflation, but seniors still feel short changed.
The average federal tax refund is significantly higher this year. But there's a downside
These 8 states don’t have an income tax. Does yours make the list?
Here are all the ways to check the status of your 2023 tax return
Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- Florida education commissioner skips forum on criticized Black history standards
- Grocery deals, battery disposal and phone speed: These tech tips save you time and cash
- Ecuador arrests 6 Colombians in slaying of presidential candidate as violence weighs on nation
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Coal miners plead with feds for stronger enforcement during emotional hearing on black lung rule
- Salma Paralluelo's extra-time goal puts Spain into World Cup semifinals for first time
- Writers Guild of America to resume negotiations with studios amid ongoing writers strike
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Ecuador arrests 6 Colombians in slaying of presidential candidate as violence weighs on nation
Ranking
- USA women's basketball live updates at Olympics: Start time vs Nigeria, how to watch
- 'King Of The Hill' actor Johnny Hardwick, who voiced Dale Gribble, dies at 64
- Unleashing the Risk Dynamo: Charles Williams' Extraordinary Path from Central Banking to Cryptocurrency Triumphs
- Is this a bank?
- Beware of giant spiders: Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
- LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia blame attacks on their community on inciteful and lingering TikTok videos
- Florida education commissioner skips forum on criticized Black history standards
- 'The term is a racial slur': New Washington Commanders owners dredge up painful history
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Gal Gadot enjoys 'messy' superspy life and being an Evil Queen: 'It was really juicy'
Katharine McPhee Misses David Foster Tour Shows Due to Horrible Family Tragedy
This Reversible Amazon Vest Will Be the Staple of Your Fall Wardrobe
Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution
Las Vegas police videos show moments before home is raided in Tupac Shakur cold case
Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers
From 'Straight Outta Compton' to '8 Mile': Essential hip-hop movies to celebrate 50 years