2026 money numbers
The limits, brackets and thresholds that change every year, in one place, each linked to its official source. We update this page when the IRS, SSA, FDIC and other agencies publish new figures, and every WalletPrep lesson uses these exact numbers.
Retirement accounts
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) employee contribution limit | $24,500 | IRS |
| 401(k) catch-up contribution, age 50 and over | $8,000 | IRS |
| 401(k) catch-up contribution, ages 60 to 63 | $11,250 | IRS |
| IRA contribution limit | $7,500 | IRS |
| IRA catch-up contribution, age 50 and over | $1,100 | IRS |
| Roth IRA income phase-out begins, single or head of household (MAGI) | $153,000 | IRS |
| Roth IRA income phase-out ends, single or head of household (MAGI) | $168,000 | IRS |
| Roth IRA income phase-out begins, married filing jointly (MAGI) | $242,000 | IRS |
| Roth IRA income phase-out ends, married filing jointly (MAGI) | $252,000 | IRS |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out begins, single filer covered by a workplace plan | $81,000 | IRS |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out ends, single filer covered by a workplace plan | $91,000 | IRS |
| SIMPLE IRA employee contribution limit | $17,000 | IRS |
| Prior-year FICA wages from the employer above which 401(k) catch-up contributions must be Roth | $150,000 | IRS |
| SEP IRA contribution limit (the lesser of 25% of compensation or this amount) | $72,000 | IRS |
Income tax
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction, single filer | $16,100 | IRS |
| Standard deduction, married filing jointly | $32,200 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 10% bracket (taxable income) | $12,400 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 12% bracket (taxable income) | $50,400 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 22% bracket (taxable income) | $105,700 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 24% bracket (taxable income) | $201,775 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 32% bracket (taxable income) | $256,225 | IRS |
| Single filer: top of the 35% bracket (taxable income) | $640,600 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 10% bracket (taxable income) | $24,800 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 12% bracket (taxable income) | $100,800 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 22% bracket (taxable income) | $211,400 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 24% bracket (taxable income) | $403,550 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 32% bracket (taxable income) | $512,450 | IRS |
| Married filing jointly: top of the 35% bracket (taxable income) | $768,700 | IRS |
| Standard deduction, head of household | $24,150 | IRS |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit, 3 or more qualifying children | $8,231 | IRS |
| Annual gift tax exclusion per recipient | $19,000 | IRS |
| Child tax credit, maximum per qualifying child under 17 | $2,200 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Child tax credit phase-out begins, all filers except married filing jointly (modified AGI) | $200,000 | IRS |
| Child tax credit phase-out begins, married filing jointly (modified AGI) | $400,000 | IRS |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit, no qualifying children | $664 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit, 1 qualifying child | $4,427 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit, 2 qualifying children | $7,316 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Earned income needed for the maximum EITC, 1 qualifying child | $13,020 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC phase-out begins with children, filers other than married filing jointly (AGI or earned income) | $23,890 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC phase-out begins with children, married filing jointly (AGI or earned income) | $31,160 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, no children, filers other than married filing jointly | $19,540 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, no children, married filing jointly | $26,820 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 1 child, filers other than married filing jointly | $51,593 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 1 child, married filing jointly | $58,863 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 2 children, filers other than married filing jointly | $58,629 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 2 children, married filing jointly | $65,899 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 3 or more children, filers other than married filing jointly | $62,974 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC income limit, 3 or more children, married filing jointly | $70,244 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| EITC investment income limit | $12,200 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| State and local tax (SALT) deduction limit for itemizers | $40,400 | IRS Publication 505 |
| Modified AGI above which the SALT limit is reduced (not below $10,000) | $505,000 | IRS Publication 505 |
Health accounts
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| HSA contribution limit, self-only HDHP coverage | $4,400 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HSA contribution limit, family HDHP coverage | $8,750 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HDHP minimum annual deductible, self-only coverage | $1,700 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HDHP minimum annual deductible, family coverage | $3,400 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HDHP maximum out-of-pocket, self-only coverage | $8,500 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HDHP maximum out-of-pocket, family coverage | $17,000 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 |
| HSA catch-up contribution, age 55 and over | $1,000 | IRS Publication 969 |
Social Security and Medicare
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax | $184,500 | SSA |
| Social Security cost-of-living adjustment | 2.8% | SSA |
| Earnings needed for one Social Security credit | $1,890 | SSA |
| Social Security earnings test limit, under full retirement age all year | $24,480 | SSA |
| Maximum monthly Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age | $4,152 | SSA |
| Self-employment tax rate (Social Security plus Medicare) | 15.3% | IRS Topic 554 |
| Social Security part of self-employment tax | 12.4% | IRS Topic 554 |
| Medicare part of self-employment tax | 2.9% | IRS Topic 554 |
| Share of net self-employment earnings subject to self-employment tax | 92.35% | IRS Topic 554 |
| Net self-employment earnings at which self-employment tax applies | $400 | IRS Topic 554 |
Banking and credit
Other
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline standard monthly discount on phone or internet service | $9.25 | USAC Lifeline (FCC program) |
| Lifeline income limit | 135% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines | USAC Lifeline (FCC program) |
| USDA Thrifty Food Plan monthly cost, male age 20 to 50 (August report) | $318.90 | USDA FNS |
| USDA Thrifty Food Plan monthly cost, female age 20 to 50 (August report) | $253.70 | USDA FNS |
| Electronic I bond purchase limit per person per calendar year | $10,000 | TreasuryDirect |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy court fees for an individual ($245 filing fee + $75 administrative fee + $15 trustee surcharge) | $335 | U.S. Courts |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy court fees ($235 filing fee + $75 administrative fee) | $310 | U.S. Courts |
| Date the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed, changing federal student loan repayment | July 4, 2025 | StudentAid.gov |
| First-disbursement date from which new federal loans get only RAP or the Tiered Standard Plan | July 1, 2026 | StudentAid.gov |
| Latest date the PAYE and ICR plans are eliminated | July 1, 2028 | StudentAid.gov |
| Date of the federal court order blocking the SAVE Plan | March 10, 2026 | StudentAid.gov |
| Interest rate reduction for auto pay on eligible Direct Loans (temporary) | 1% | StudentAid.gov |
| Last day of the temporary larger auto pay interest rate reduction | June 30, 2028 | StudentAid.gov |
| Deadline to enroll in auto pay for the larger interest rate reduction | Dec. 31, 2026 | StudentAid.gov |
| SIPC protection limit per customer if a brokerage firm fails (securities and cash) | $500,000 | SIPC |
| SIPC protection limit for cash, within the overall limit | $250,000 | SIPC |
| Additional child tax credit (refundable part), maximum per qualifying child | $1,700 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Earned income above which the additional child tax credit starts (15% of the excess) | $2,500 | IRS |
| Credit for other dependents, maximum per dependent | $500 | IRS |
| Additional standard deduction, age 65 or older or blind, married | $1,650 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Additional standard deduction, age 65 or older or blind, unmarried | $2,050 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Extra deduction for each person age 65 or older (2025 to 2028) | $6,000 | IRS |
| Maximum deduction for qualified tips (2025 to 2028) | $25,000 | IRS |
| Maximum deduction for qualified overtime premium pay, single (2025 to 2028) | $12,500 | IRS |
| Maximum deduction for qualified overtime premium pay, married filing jointly (2025 to 2028) | $25,000 | IRS |
| Maximum deduction for qualified new car loan interest (2025 to 2028) | $10,000 | IRS |
| Cash charity deduction for people who take the standard deduction, single | $1,000 | IRS |
| Cash charity deduction for people who take the standard deduction, married filing jointly | $2,000 | IRS |
| Last tax year for the new tips, overtime, car loan interest and senior deductions | 2028 | IRS |
| Child and dependent care credit, top credit rate on qualifying care costs | 50% | IRS |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 0% rate, single filer (taxable income) | $49,450 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 0% rate, married filing jointly (taxable income) | $98,900 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 0% rate, head of household (taxable income) | $66,200 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 15% rate, single filer (taxable income) | $545,500 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 15% rate, married filing jointly (taxable income) | $613,700 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Long-term capital gains: top of the 15% rate, head of household (taxable income) | $579,600 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Net capital loss you can deduct against other income each year ($1,500 married filing separately) | $3,000 | IRS Topic 409 |
| Net investment income tax rate | 3.8% | IRS Topic 559 |
| Net investment income tax threshold, single or head of household (MAGI) | $200,000 | IRS Topic 559 |
| Net investment income tax threshold, married filing jointly (MAGI) | $250,000 | IRS Topic 559 |
| Home sale gain exclusion, single filer (main home) | $250,000 | IRS Topic 701 |
| Social Security and Medicare tax withheld from an employee's wages (6.2% + 1.45%), matched by the employer | 7.65% | IRS Topic 751 |
| Additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to earnings above this, single filer | $200,000 | IRS Topic 751 |
| Payments to a contractor for services that require a Form 1099-NEC (payments made after 2025) | $2,000 | IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 |
| Form 1099-K reporting threshold for payment apps and online marketplaces | over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions | IRS |
| IRS Free File guided software: adjusted gross income limit (2026 filing season, 2025 returns) | $89,000 | IRS |
| IRS short-term payment plan (up to 180 days): owe less than this in tax, penalties and interest | $100,000 | IRS |
| IRS long-term payment plan online: owe this much or less in tax, penalties and interest | $50,000 | IRS |
| IRS long-term payment plan setup fee, online with automatic bank payments | $29 | IRS |
| IRS long-term payment plan setup fee, online without automatic payments | $69 | IRS |
| IRS long-term payment plan setup fee, by phone, mail or in person with automatic payments | $107 | IRS |
| IRS interest rate on unpaid individual tax (4th quarter; set quarterly) | 7% | IRS |
| Minimum failure-to-file penalty for a return more than 60 days late (or 100% of the tax owed, if less), returns due after 2025 | $525 | IRS |
| IRS offer in compromise application fee (waived for low-income applicants) | $205 | IRS |
| Home sale gain exclusion, married filing jointly (main home) | $500,000 | IRS Topic 701 |
| Total yearly limit on contributions to one person's defined contribution plans (employee plus employer, 401(k), SEP IRA, solo 401(k)), before catch-up; section 415(c) | $72,000 | IRS |
| Most compensation a retirement plan can count when figuring contributions; section 401(a)(17) | $360,000 | IRS Notice 2025-67 |
| Health flexible spending account (FSA) employee contribution limit | $3,400 | IRS |
| Most unused health FSA money a plan can let you carry into the next year | $680 | IRS |
| Dependent care FSA (dependent care assistance) yearly exclusion, per household ($3,750 married filing separately) | $7,500 | IRS |
| Flat federal income tax withholding rate on supplemental wages such as bonuses (37% on the part above $1 million in a year) | 22% | IRS Publication 15 |
| Conforming loan limit for a one-unit home in most of the US (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) | $832,750 | FHFA |
| Conforming loan limit ceiling for a one-unit home in high-cost areas | $1,249,125 | FHFA |
| Substantial gainful activity earnings limit for Social Security disability, non-blind (per month) | $1,690 | SSA |
| Federal estate tax basic exclusion amount | $15,000,000 | IRS |
| Marketplace plan out-of-pocket maximum, individual | $10,600 | HealthCare.gov |
| Marketplace plan out-of-pocket maximum, family | $21,200 | HealthCare.gov |
| Yearly limit on tax-free 529 withdrawals for K-12 expenses, per beneficiary | $20,000 | IRS Topic 313 |
| Maximum Federal Pell Grant, 2026-27 award year | $7,395 | Federal Student Aid |
| FAFSA form now open (school year it covers) | 2027-28 | Federal Student Aid |
| Earliest date to submit the current FAFSA form | October 1, 2026 | Federal Student Aid |
| Federal deadline for the current FAFSA form | June 30, 2028 | Federal Student Aid |
| Tax year the current FAFSA form asks about | 2025 | Federal Student Aid |
Figures are for tax or calendar year 2026 unless marked. Rules have exceptions; check the linked source for your situation. General education, not personalized financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are examples. Check current rates and limits before you act.
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