The 2024 tax brackets are set by filing status, not by income alone
Your tax bracket depends on two things: how much you earned and which filing status applies to you. The IRS sets different bracket ranges for single filers, married filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of household. A single person earning $50,000 falls into a different bracket than a married couple earning the same amount together.
The brackets themselves do not change the way most people think. You do not pay one flat rate on all your income. Instead, you pay the stated rate only on income that falls within each bracket range. If you earn $60,000 as a single filer, you pay 10% on the first portion, then 12% on the next portion, and so on — not 12% on all $60,000.
For 2024, there are seven federal tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The income ranges that trigger each rate vary by filing status and are adjusted annually for inflation.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 brackets range from 10% (lowest) to 37% (highest), and the income thresholds that trigger each bracket differ based on whether you file as single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household.
- You pay the stated rate only on income within each bracket range, not on your entire income, so earning more money does not automatically push all your income into a higher rate.
- Standard deductions reduce your taxable income before brackets are applied, so your actual tax depends on both your gross income and your deductions.
- The bracket ranges are adjusted each year for inflation, so the exact dollar thresholds for 2024 differ from 2023 and will differ from 2025.
2024 tax brackets by filing status
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,600 | $0 – $23,200 | $0 – $11,600 | $0 – $16,550 |
| 12% | $11,601 – $47,150 | $23,201 – $94,300 | $11,601 – $47,150 | $16,551 – $63,100 |
| 22% | $47,151 – $100,525 | $94,301 – $201,050 | $47,151 – $100,525 | $63,101 – $100,500 |
| 24% | $100,526 – $191,950 | $201,051 – $383,900 | $100,526 – $191,950 | $100,501 – $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 – $243,725 | $383,901 – $487,450 | $191,951 – $243,725 | $191,951 – $243,700 |
| 35% | $243,726 – $609,350 | $487,451 – $731,200 | $243,726 – $365,600 | $243,701 – $609,350 |
| 37% | $609,351+ | $731,201+ | $365,601+ | $609,351+ |
These ranges apply to your taxable income, which is your gross income minus deductions. Most people use the standard deduction, which reduces taxable income automatically. For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filing jointly, $14,600 for married filing separately, and $21,900 for head of household.
If you earn $50,000 as a single filer, your taxable income is $50,000 minus $14,600, or $35,400. You then apply the brackets to $35,400, not to $50,000.
How tax brackets actually work with an example
Suppose you are single and earned $60,000 in 2024. After the standard deduction of $14,600, your taxable income is $45,400.
You do not pay 12% on all $45,400. Instead, you pay:
- 10% on the first $11,600 = $1,160
- 12% on the next $33,550 (from $11,601 to $45,150) = $4,026
- 22% on the remaining $250 (from $45,151 to $45,400) = $55
Your total federal income tax is $1,160 + $4,026 + $55 = $5,241. Your effective tax rate — the percentage of your total income you actually pay — is about 8.7%, not 12%.
Standard deductions reduce your taxable income
The standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount that lowers your taxable income before any brackets are applied. You do not have to itemize deductions to claim it; it happens automatically unless you choose to itemize instead.
For 2024, standard deductions are:
- Single: $14,600
- Married filing jointly: $29,200
- Married filing separately: $14,600
- Head of household: $21,900
- Age 65 or older (single): $18,350
- Age 65 or older (married filing jointly): $30,750
If you are 65 or older, you get an additional standard deduction on top of the base amount. If you are blind, you also get an additional deduction. These add-ons apply to your filing status and age, so a married couple filing jointly where both are 65 or older gets a higher deduction than a couple where only one spouse is 65.
Brackets change every year due to inflation adjustment
The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually to account for inflation. The bracket ranges for 2024 are wider than they were for 2023, which means you can earn slightly more before moving into a higher bracket. This adjustment is automatic and built into the tax code; you do not have to do anything to benefit from it.
The adjustment affects the dollar thresholds but not the number of brackets or the rates themselves. There will still be seven brackets in 2025, still ranging from 10% to 37%, but the income ranges will shift again.
Filing status affects your bracket thresholds
Your filing status determines which column of the bracket table applies to you. Married filing jointly has the widest brackets, which is why a couple can earn more before entering a higher tax rate than a single person earning the same amount. Married filing separately has the narrowest brackets and is rarely the best choice unless you have a specific reason to file that way.
Head of household falls between single and married filing jointly. You may have access to for head of household status if you are unmarried, pay more than half the household expenses, and have a may have access to dependent living with you for more than half the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does earning more money push all my income into a higher tax bracket?
No. Only the income that falls within a higher bracket is taxed at that rate. If you earn an extra $1,000 and it crosses you into the next bracket, only that $1,000 (or the portion of it above the threshold) is taxed at the higher rate. Your existing income is still taxed at the lower rates.
What is the difference between tax brackets and my effective tax rate?
Your tax bracket is the highest rate that applies to any of your income. Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by your total income. Because you pay lower rates on the first portions of your income, your effective rate is always lower than your bracket rate.
Do these brackets apply to state income tax?
No. Federal brackets apply only to federal income tax. States that have income tax set their own brackets and rates, which vary widely. Some states have no income tax at all.
If I am 65 or older, do I use different brackets?
No. The brackets are the same for everyone. However, you get a higher standard deduction, which reduces your taxable income before the brackets are applied. That larger deduction means less of your income is subject to tax.
When do the 2025 tax brackets come out?
The IRS typically announces the next year's brackets in October or November. The 2025 brackets will be slightly wider than 2024 due to inflation adjustment, but the exact amounts are not finalized until the IRS publishes them.