How 2024 Tax Brackets Work
A tax bracket is the range of income that gets taxed at a specific rate. The U.S. uses a progressive system: you do not pay one flat rate on all your income. Instead, different portions of your income are taxed at different rates as your total income rises. In 2024, there are seven federal tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 37%.
The brackets themselves changed for 2024 because the IRS adjusts them annually for inflation. This means the income ranges that fall into each bracket are wider than they were in 2023. If you earned the same dollar amount in both years, you might fall into a different bracket in 2024, or you might stay in the same bracket but pay tax on a smaller portion of your income at the top rate.
Your filing status determines which bracket table you use. Single filers, married filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of household each have their own bracket ranges. A married couple filing jointly, for example, reaches the 22% bracket at a higher income level than a single filer does.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 federal tax brackets range from 10% to 37%, and the income thresholds for each bracket are adjusted upward from 2023 due to inflation.
- Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, or married filing separately) determines which bracket table applies to your income.
- Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate; income below the bracket threshold is taxed at lower rates.
- The standard deduction reduces your taxable income before brackets are applied, so many people pay tax on less income than they actually earned.
2024 Tax Brackets by Filing Status
The table below shows the 2024 federal income tax brackets. The percentages on the left are the tax rates; the income ranges on the right show which portion of your income is taxed at each rate.
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $11,600 | $0 to $23,200 | $0 to $11,600 | $0 to $16,550 |
| 12% | $11,601 to $47,150 | $23,201 to $94,300 | $11,601 to $47,150 | $16,551 to $63,100 |
| 22% | $47,151 to $100,525 | $94,301 to $201,050 | $47,151 to $100,525 | $63,101 to $100,500 |
| 24% | $100,526 to $191,950 | $201,051 to $383,900 | $100,526 to $191,950 | $100,501 to $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 to $243,725 | $383,901 to $487,450 | $191,951 to $243,725 | $191,951 to $243,700 |
| 35% | $243,726 to $609,350 | $487,451 to $731,200 | $243,726 to $365,600 | $243,701 to $609,350 |
| 37% | $609,351 and above | $731,201 and above | $365,601 and above | $609,351 and above |
These thresholds apply to your taxable income, not your total income. Your taxable income is what remains after you subtract the standard deduction or itemized deductions from your gross income.
How the Standard Deduction Reduces Your Taxable Income
Before the tax brackets apply, you subtract either the standard deduction or your itemized deductions from your gross income. The standard deduction for 2024 varies by filing status: single filers get $14,600, married filing jointly get $29,200, married filing separately get $14,600, and head of household filers get $21,900.
This means a single person earning $50,000 in 2024 would subtract $14,600, leaving $35,400 in taxable income. That $35,400 is what gets run through the tax brackets, not the full $50,000. This is why two people with the same gross income can owe different amounts in federal tax if they have different filing statuses or deductions.
What Changed From 2023 to 2024
The bracket thresholds increased across all filing statuses because of inflation adjustment. A single filer's 10% bracket, for example, was $0 to $11,000 in 2023 and is now $0 to $11,600 in 2024. The standard deduction also rose: single filers went from $13,850 to $14,600.
The tax rates themselves (10%, 12%, 22%, and so on) did not change. Only the income ranges that trigger each rate were adjusted upward. This adjustment means that if your income stayed flat from 2023 to 2024, you may owe less tax because more of your income falls into lower brackets.
How to Find Your Bracket and Estimate Your Tax
To find your bracket, start with your gross income and subtract the standard deduction for your filing status. The result is your taxable income. Then locate that amount in the row that matches your filing status on the bracket table above. The rate shown is the highest rate you pay, but it only applies to income within that bracket's range.
For example, a single filer with $60,000 in gross income subtracts $14,600, leaving $45,400 in taxable income. Looking at the single filer brackets, $45,400 falls in the 12% bracket ($11,601 to $47,150). But this does not mean the entire $45,400 is taxed at 12%. The first $11,600 is taxed at 10%, the next $35,550 (from $11,601 to $47,150) is taxed at 12%, and the remaining $0 is taxed at higher rates. The actual tax owed is $11,600 × 0.10 + $35,400 × 0.12 = $1,160 + $4,248 = $5,408.
The IRS provides tax tables and worksheets on its website (irs.gov) that show the exact tax for most income levels. Tax software and tax preparers also calculate this automatically based on the brackets and your specific situation.
State and Local Taxes Are Separate
The brackets shown here are federal only. Most states also have their own income tax with their own bracket systems, and some cities impose local income tax as well. Your total tax bill includes federal, state, and local taxes combined. State brackets and rates vary widely: some states have no income tax, others have a flat rate, and others use progressive brackets similar to the federal system.
When you file your federal return, you report your federal taxable income. When you file a state return, you use that state's rules to calculate state taxable income, which may be different from your federal taxable income. The two are calculated separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does being in a higher tax bracket mean all my income is taxed at that rate?
No. Only the income within that bracket's range is taxed at that rate. Income below the bracket threshold is taxed at lower rates. If you are in the 24% bracket, the first portion of your income is still taxed at 10%, then 12%, then 22%, and only the portion that falls in the 24% range is taxed at 24%.
Will my tax bracket change if I get a raise?
Possibly. If your raise pushes your taxable income into a higher bracket range, you will move to that bracket. However, only the income above the previous bracket's threshold is taxed at the new higher rate. A raise never results in your entire income being taxed at a higher rate.
How do deductions affect my tax bracket?
Deductions reduce your taxable income, which can lower or eliminate the portion of your income taxed at higher rates. If you have $60,000 in gross income and $10,000 in deductions, your taxable income is $50,000, and that is what determines your bracket. The larger your deductions, the lower your taxable income and potentially the lower your bracket.
Are the 2024 brackets final or could they change?
The 2024 brackets are final for the 2024 tax year. The IRS announced them in October 2023. The brackets for 2025 will be announced in late 2024 and will reflect inflation adjustments for that year. Once a tax year ends, its brackets do not change.
Do self-employed people use the same tax brackets?
Yes, self-employed people use the same federal tax brackets as W-2 employees. However, self-employed income is subject to self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare), which is calculated separately. After paying self-employment tax, self-employed people subtract half of that tax and use the same brackets to calculate income tax.