The tax code you file under in 2024 is mostly the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, with some pieces expiring

The federal tax rates, deductions, and credits you use on your 2024 return come from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), passed in December 2017. That law lowered tax rates across all brackets, nearly doubled the standard deduction, and changed how many deductions work. Most of those changes are still in place for 2024.

However, some provisions of the TCJA are set to expire on December 31, 2025. That means your 2025 tax return (filed in 2026) could look different from your 2024 return unless Congress extends those provisions. The parts expiring include the lower individual income tax rates, the increased standard deduction, and changes to child tax credits and dependent exemptions.

For 2024 specifically, you are filing under the TCJA as it stands now. Congress has not passed a new tax overhaul, and no major changes took effect between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • Your 2024 tax return uses rates and deductions set by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered rates and nearly doubled the standard deduction.
  • The main individual income tax provisions of that law expire December 31, 2025, meaning your 2025 return could have higher rates and lower deductions unless Congress acts.
  • The corporate tax rate (21 percent) and some business provisions from the TCJA have no expiration date and will remain in place.
  • State and local tax (SALT) deductions are capped at $10,000 per year under current law and will stay capped even after 2025 unless Congress changes it.

What changed in 2024 compared to 2023

The tax brackets and standard deduction amounts adjust every year for inflation. For 2024, the IRS raised the standard deduction to $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. Tax brackets also shifted upward, meaning the income thresholds where you move into a higher tax rate increased.

These adjustments happen automatically each year and are not a new tax plan — they are built into how the current system works. No new laws took effect on January 1, 2024 that changed how you calculate your taxes. The inflation adjustment is the only change most filers see from year to year.

What expires at the end of 2025

The TCJA included a sunset clause: most individual income tax provisions expire on December 31, 2025. This means that starting with your 2026 tax return (filed in early 2026), several things could change if Congress does not act:

  • Tax rates would revert to the pre-2017 rates, which are higher across all brackets.
  • The standard deduction would drop significantly — for example, the 2025 standard deduction for single filers is $14,600, but it could fall to around $6,500 or lower in 2026 if the TCJA expires.
  • The child tax credit would drop from $2,000 per child to $1,000 per child.
  • The deduction for dependent exemptions would return, replacing the current system.

Congress can extend these provisions before they expire, and it has done so with other temporary tax laws in the past. However, as of now, no extension has been passed into law. The decision will likely come in late 2025, close to the expiration date.

What does not expire in 2025

Some parts of the TCJA have no expiration date and will remain in place regardless of what Congress does:

  • The corporate tax rate of 21 percent (down from 35 percent before 2017).
  • The $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions — this will stay in place unless Congress votes to change it.
  • Changes to how pass-through businesses (S-corps, partnerships, LLCs) are taxed.
  • The elimination of personal exemptions (replaced by the higher standard deduction).

These permanent provisions affect both individual and business filers. The SALT cap in particular has been controversial, and some lawmakers have proposed raising or removing it, but no change has become law.

How to find your 2024 tax rates and deductions

The IRS publishes the official 2024 tax brackets and standard deduction amounts on its website each year. You can find them by searching "2024 tax brackets" on IRS.gov. The brackets are organized by filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, and married filing separately).

If you use tax software or work with a tax preparer, they will automatically use the 2024 numbers when you file. You do not need to look them up yourself unless you want to estimate your tax liability before filing or understand how much you owe in a particular bracket.

What Congress is debating about 2025 and beyond

As 2024 ends, Congress is debating whether to extend the TCJA provisions that expire at the end of 2025. Some lawmakers want to extend them permanently; others want to let them expire or modify them. No decision has been made, and the outcome will depend on which party controls Congress and the presidency.

If you are planning your finances for 2025 and beyond, it is worth knowing that your tax situation could change. However, for your 2024 return filed in early 2025, the rules are set and will not change. Any major tax law changes would take effect on a date Congress specifies in new legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my taxes go up in 2025?

Your 2025 taxes (filed in early 2026) could go up if Congress does not extend the TCJA provisions before they expire on December 31, 2025. However, Congress may extend them, so the outcome is not certain yet. For 2024, your taxes will not change due to expiration — the current rates and deductions apply.

Do I need to do anything different on my 2024 return because of the expiration?

No. You file your 2024 return using the 2024 tax brackets and deductions. The expiration does not affect how you file for 2024. It only matters for returns you file in 2026 and later, if Congress does not extend the law.

What is the standard deduction for 2024?

For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, $21,900 for heads of household, and $14,600 for married couples filing separately. These amounts increase slightly each year for inflation.

Are state taxes affected by the TCJA?

The TCJA does not change state income tax rates or rules — those are set by each state. However, the $10,000 cap on federal deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) affects how much state tax you can deduct on your federal return.

Can Congress change the tax plan before 2025?

Yes, Congress can pass new tax laws at any time. However, as of now, no major changes to the TCJA have been passed for 2024. Any changes would take effect on the date Congress specifies in the new law.