Definition
A tax bracket is a range of taxable income taxed at a specific rate under the progressive federal income tax system. In 2026, there are seven brackets for single filers: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, each applying to a specific income range.
The critical point is that brackets work incrementally — moving into a higher bracket means only the income above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate. The income below is still taxed at the lower rate. 'Being in the 22% bracket' doesn't mean you pay 22% on all your income.
Bracket thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation. For married filing jointly, thresholds are approximately double the single thresholds.
How this affects your W-4
Tax brackets determine how much of your annual income is taxed at each rate, which drives the withholding calculation. Understanding which bracket your income falls in helps you predict the marginal impact of raises, bonuses, or side income.
If a large bonus pushes you from the 22% bracket to the 24% bracket, the difference affects only the portion above the threshold — not your entire bonus.
See how tax bracket affects your withholding
Use the free W-4 calculator to calculate your exact withholding with your specific situation.
Open the W-4 Calculator →Related terms
Marginal Tax Rate
The tax rate that applies to the last (highest) dollar of your income — your 'tax bracket.'
Effective Tax Rate
The average rate you pay across all your income — always lower than your marginal rate.
Federal Income Tax
The progressive income tax the U.S. federal government levies on wages and other income.