Federal & State Tax Bracket Finder

The United States uses a progressive tax system, meaning higher income is taxed at higher rates. But here's what many people misunderstand: when you "move into a higher tax bracket," only the income above the bracket threshold is taxed at that rate—not your entire income.

Your tax bracket (also called marginal tax bracket) indicates the rate applied to your last dollar of income. For 2025, federal brackets range from 10% to 37%, depending on your taxable income and filing status.

This tool helps you identify which federal and state tax brackets apply to your income, understand the difference between marginal and effective tax rates, and see the complete bracket tables for planning purposes. Whether you're negotiating a raise, considering a side hustle, or just curious about where your money goes, knowing your brackets is essential financial literacy.

We pull bracket data directly from IRS publications and state revenue departments to ensure accuracy for the tax year you select.

Marginal Tax Rate vs. Effective Tax Rate

These two concepts confuse many taxpayers:

• Marginal Tax Rate: The percentage paid on your last dollar of income. If you're in the 24% bracket, additional income is taxed at 24%.
• Effective Tax Rate: Your total tax divided by total income. This is always lower than your marginal rate because earlier dollars are taxed at lower rates.

Example: If you earn $100,000 (single filer, 2024), your marginal rate is 24%, but your effective rate is approximately 17.6% because the first $11,600 is taxed at 10%, the next $35,550 at 12%, and so on.

2024/2025 Federal Tax Brackets (Single Filer)

Note: Tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation. Verify current brackets at irs.gov.

Filing Status Matters

Tax brackets vary significantly by filing status. Married Filing Jointly brackets are roughly double those of Single filers at lower rates. Head of Household gets wider brackets than Single but narrower than Married Filing Jointly.

Step 1: Select Mode
Choose "Find My Bracket" to identify your current bracket, "Bracket Tables" to view all brackets for a filing status, or "What-If Comparison" to see how income changes affect your bracket.

Step 2: Choose Tax Year
Select 2024 or 2025. Brackets are adjusted annually for inflation—2025 brackets are slightly higher than 2024.

Step 3: Select Filing Status
Choose Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household. This dramatically affects bracket thresholds.

Step 4: Enter Your Income
Enter your annual taxable income (income after deductions). If you only know your gross income, subtract the standard deduction ($14,600 single / $29,200 married for 2024; verify current amounts at irs.gov).

Step 5: Optional – Include State
Select your state to see state tax brackets alongside federal. Note: 9 states have no income tax.

Step 6: Review Results
See your marginal bracket, effective rate estimate, and how much room you have before hitting the next bracket.

Federal Brackets (Nationwide)

Federal income tax brackets apply uniformly to all U.S. taxpayers regardless of state. The rates (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%) remain constant, though the income thresholds adjust annually for inflation.

State Brackets (Vary Widely)

State income taxes vary dramatically:

• No Income Tax (9 states): Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire*, South Dakota, Tennessee*, Texas, Washington, Wyoming (*tax dividends/interest only)
• Flat Tax: Colorado (4.4%), Illinois (4.95%), North Carolina (5.25%), Michigan (4.25%), etc.
• Progressive Tax: California (1% to 13.3%), New York (4% to 10.9%), New Jersey (1.4% to 10.75%), etc.

Combined Marginal Rate

Your total marginal tax rate is approximately federal + state (plus local if applicable). A California resident in the 24% federal bracket and 9.3% state bracket has a combined marginal rate of ~33.3% on additional income.

Note: State income taxes are deductible on federal returns up to $10,000 (SALT cap), which can slightly reduce the effective combined rate for itemizers.

1. Evaluating a Raise or Bonus

If you're offered a $10,000 raise, knowing your marginal bracket tells you the after-tax value. In the 22% bracket, you'll keep ~$7,800 after federal taxes (before state taxes).

2. Deciding on Roth vs. Traditional 401(k)

Your current bracket helps decide: if you're in a low bracket now but expect higher income later, Roth contributions (taxed now) may be better. If you're in a high bracket, traditional (tax-deferred) contributions provide more immediate tax savings.

3. Year-End Tax Planning

Near year-end, check how close you are to the next bracket. If you're $5,000 below the 24% threshold, accelerating income (Roth conversion, selling investments) may make sense at the lower 22% rate.

4. Comparing Job Offers in Different States

A $100,000 offer in Texas (no state income tax) may net more than $110,000 in California after state taxes. Use this tool to compare combined federal + state rates.

5. Freelance/Side Income Impact

Side income is taxed at your marginal rate. If your W-2 job puts you in the 22% bracket, freelance income is taxed at 22% (plus self-employment tax) from dollar one.

6. Retirement Income Planning

In retirement, bracket awareness helps plan 401(k)/IRA withdrawals. Many retirees are in lower brackets—strategic Roth conversions in low-income years can reduce future required minimum distributions (RMDs).

• ❌ Thinking a raise will "put you in a higher bracket" and cost you money

  This is the biggest tax myth. Only the income above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A raise always increases your take-home pay—you never "lose money" by earning more.

• ❌ Confusing marginal rate with effective rate

  Your marginal rate (e.g., 24%) applies to your last dollar. Your effective rate (total tax ÷ income) is much lower. Saying "I pay 24% in taxes" is usually inaccurate—you pay 24% on the top portion only.

• ❌ Forgetting about the standard deduction

  Tax brackets apply to taxable income, not gross income. With a $14,600 standard deduction (2024 single), $75,000 gross income becomes $60,400 taxable income.

• ❌ Ignoring state income taxes

  Federal brackets get attention, but state taxes add 0-13%+ to your total burden. California's top rate (13.3%) can significantly impact high earners.

• ❌ Using last year's brackets

  Brackets adjust annually for inflation. Using 2023 brackets for 2024/2025 planning leads to overestimating taxes. Always use current-year data.

• ❌ Not considering FICA and other taxes

  Income tax brackets don't include Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), or self-employment tax (15.3%). Your total tax burden is higher than just income tax.

• 💡 Fill up lower brackets strategically

  In low-income years (sabbatical, early retirement), consider Roth conversions or capital gains harvesting to "fill up" the 10%, 12%, or 22% brackets before they go to waste.

• 💡 Use the 0% capital gains bracket

  Long-term capital gains are taxed at 0% if your taxable income is below $47,025 (single) or $94,050 (married) in 2024. Retirees and low-income years can harvest gains tax-free.

• 💡 Income shifting for married couples

  If one spouse earns significantly more, filing status and bracket planning matter. Sometimes Married Filing Separately can help, though usually Jointly is better.

• 💡 Bracket arbitrage with pre-tax contributions

  If you're barely in the 24% bracket, a $5,000 401(k) contribution might drop you to 22%, saving an extra $100 beyond the normal tax deferral.

• 💡 Watch for the "tax torpedo" zones

  Certain income levels trigger phase-outs of credits/deductions (Child Tax Credit, education credits, itemized deductions). Your effective marginal rate can exceed the nominal bracket rate.

• 💡 Plan for bracket changes under future legislation

  The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act brackets expire after 2025. Without extension, rates may revert to pre-2018 levels (higher). Consider accelerating income or Roth conversions before potential changes.