Reference · Money
The 2026 federal figures a household plans around: contribution limits, tax brackets, the standard deduction, HSA limits, catch-up amounts, the Social Security adjustment, and the federal reference rates.
Retirement account limits
Cost-of-living adjustments under section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, effective 1 January 2026, from IRS Notice 2025-67 (released 13 November 2025).
| Limit | 2026 | 2025 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 and TSP employee deferral limit | $24,500 | $23,500 | [1] |
| Catch-up contribution, age 50 and over (401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, TSP) | $8,000 | $7,500 | [1] |
| Higher catch-up for individuals who attain age 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2026 | $11,250 | $11,250 | [1] |
| Total defined-contribution limit, employee plus employer (section 415(c)) | $72,000 | $70,000 | [1] |
| Annual compensation limit (section 401(a)(17)) | $360,000 | $350,000 | [1] |
| Highly compensated employee threshold (section 414(q)) | $160,000 | $160,000 | [1] |
| SIMPLE IRA / SIMPLE 401(k) salary-reduction limit | $17,000 | $16,500 | [1] |
| IRA contribution limit (traditional and Roth combined) | $7,500 | $7,000 | [1] |
| IRA catch-up contribution, age 50 and over | $1,100 | $1,000 | [1] |
| Qualified charitable distribution from an IRA, annual exclusion | $111,000 | $108,000 | [1] |
| Roth catch-up wage threshold (prior-year FICA wages above which 2026 catch-ups must be Roth) | $150,000 | $145,000 | [1] |
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67, read 7 September 2026. The Roth catch-up threshold is measured on the prior year’s wages.
IRA phase-outs (modified AGI)
| Item | Filing status | Phase-out begins | Fully phased out | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA deduction (contributor covered by a workplace plan) | Single or head of household | $81,000 | $91,000 | [1] |
| Traditional IRA deduction (contributor covered by a workplace plan) | Married filing jointly | $129,000 | $149,000 | [1] |
| Traditional IRA deduction (contributor covered by a workplace plan) | Married filing jointly, contributor NOT covered but spouse is | $242,000 | $252,000 | [1] |
| Traditional IRA deduction (contributor covered by a workplace plan) | Married filing separately | $0 | $10,000 | [1] |
| Roth IRA contribution | Single or head of household | $153,000 | $168,000 | [1] |
| Roth IRA contribution | Married filing jointly | $242,000 | $252,000 | [1] |
| Roth IRA contribution | Married filing separately | $0 | $10,000 | [1] |
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67, read 7 September 2026. Below the first figure the full amount applies; above the second, none.
| Saver’s credit: AGI ceiling for any credit | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Married filing jointly | $80,500 | [1] |
| Head of household | $60,375 | [1] |
| All other filers | $40,250 | [1] |
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67, read 7 September 2026. The credit rate steps down inside the range; only the ceiling is shown.
Brackets and the standard deduction
Tax year 2026, the return filed in 2027, from Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (released 9 October 2025), which carries the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s changes.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household | Married filing separately | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,400 | $0 to $24,800 | $0 to $17,700 | $0 to $12,400 | [2] |
| 12% | $12,400 to $50,400 | $24,800 to $100,800 | $17,700 to $67,450 | $12,400 to $50,400 | [2] |
| 22% | $50,400 to $105,700 | $100,800 to $211,400 | $67,450 to $105,700 | $50,400 to $105,700 | [2] |
| 24% | $105,700 to $201,775 | $211,400 to $403,550 | $105,700 to $201,750 | $105,700 to $201,775 | [2] |
| 32% | $201,775 to $256,225 | $403,550 to $512,450 | $201,750 to $256,200 | $201,775 to $256,225 | [2] |
| 35% | $256,225 to $640,600 | $512,450 to $768,700 | $256,200 to $640,600 | $256,225 to $384,350 | [2] |
| 37% | over $640,600 | over $768,700 | over $640,600 | over $384,350 | [2] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.01, read 7 September 2026. Taxable income, after deductions. Married filing jointly is exactly double single through the 35% bracket floor ($512,450 = 2 x $256,225) and then diverges: the 37% rate begins at $768,700 joint against $640,600 single. Do not model joint as 2 x single at the top. Married filing separately tops out at $384,350 (half of the joint figure).
| Standard deduction, 2026 | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Married filing jointly / surviving spouse | $32,200 | [2] |
| Head of household | $24,150 | [2] |
| Single | $16,100 | [2] |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 | [2] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.14, read 7 September 2026. Additional standard deduction for the aged or the blind: $1,650, or $2,050 if also unmarried and not a surviving spouse. A dependent's standard deduction cannot exceed the greater of $1,350 or $450 plus earned income.
| AMT exemption, 2026 | Exemption | Phase-out begins | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married filing jointly / surviving spouse | $140,200 | $1,000,000 | [2] |
| Single | $90,100 | $500,000 | [2] |
| Married filing separately | $70,100 | $500,000 | [2] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.10, read 7 September 2026. The 28% AMT rate applies to AMT income above $244,500 ($122,250 married filing separately).
| Earned income credit, 2026 | Maximum credit | Earned-income amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifying children | $664 | $8,680 | [2] |
| One qualifying children | $4,427 | $13,020 | [2] |
| Two qualifying children | $7,316 | $18,290 | [2] |
| Three or more qualifying children | $8,231 | $18,290 | [2] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 §4.06, read 7 September 2026. Credit is fully phased out at AGI of $26,820 (no children) to $70,244 (three or more) for joint filers, and $19,540 to $62,974 for all other filers.
| Other 2026 amounts | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health flexible spending arrangement salary-reduction limit | $3,400 | [2] |
| Annual gift tax exclusion, per recipient | $19,000 | [2] |
| Estate and gift tax basic exclusion amount (and GST exemption) | $15,000,000 | [2] |
| Qualified transportation fringe benefit, monthly exclusion (transit passes / commuter vehicle, and qualified parking) | $340 | [2] |
| Kiddie tax: a child's unearned income above this amount is subject to the rules | $1,350 | [2] |
| Student loan interest deduction phase-out, Single / head of household | $85,000 to $100,000 | [2] |
| Student loan interest deduction phase-out, Married filing jointly | $175,000 to $205,000 | [2] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-32, read 7 September 2026. The health FSA carryover maximum is $680; gifts to a non-citizen spouse are excluded up to $194,000.
Health savings accounts
Calendar year 2026, from Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (Internal Revenue Bulletin 2025-21, 19 May 2025).
| Coverage | Contribution limit | HDHP minimum deductible | HDHP out-of-pocket maximum | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-only | $4,400 | $1,700 | $8,500 | [3] |
| Family | $8,750 | $3,400 | $17,000 | [3] |
| Additional contribution, age 55 and older | $1,000 | — | — | [4] |
Source: Rev. Proc. 2025-19 §2.01 and IRS Publication 969, read 7 September 2026. Fixed by section 223(b)(3); it is not inflation-adjusted, which is why it does not appear in Rev. Proc. 2025-19.
Social Security
From the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary.
| Item | 2026 | 2025 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 | 2.8% | — | [5] |
| Maximum taxable earnings (contribution and benefit base) | $184,500 | $176,100 | [6] |
| Earnings needed for one Social Security credit (quarter of coverage) | $1,890 | $1,810 | [7] |
| Earnings test exempt amount: Under full retirement age all year ($1 for every $2 above) | $24,480 | — | [8] |
| Earnings test exempt amount: Year of reaching full retirement age (months before FRA) ($1 for every $3 above) | $65,160 | — | [8] |
| Payroll tax rate, Employee and employer, each: Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% | 7.65% | — | [9] |
| Payroll tax rate, Self-employed: Social Security 12.4% + Medicare 2.9% | 15.3% | — | [9] |
Source: ssa.gov, read 7 September 2026. Computed from the CPI-W: third quarter 2025 average 317.265 against third quarter 2024 average 308.729. The OASDI rate applies only up to the wage base above; the Medicare rate has no earnings cap. The SSA page's footnotes note an additional HI tax on higher earnings beginning in 2013 (not tabulated here).
Federal reference rates
Policy rates from the Federal Reserve and the IRS's applicable federal rates. Unlike the tax figures above, these move: the asOf date on each row is the date to check.
| Rate | Value | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal funds rate, FOMC target range | 3.75% to 4.00% | FOMC statement, 16 September 2026 | [10] |
| Effective federal funds rate (daily) | 3.63% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Bank prime loan rate | 6.75% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Discount window primary credit rate | 3.75% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 3-month | 3.89% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 1-year | 4.11% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 2-year | 4.34% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 5-year | 4.52% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 10-year | 4.77% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Treasury constant-maturity yield, 30-year | 5.25% | 3 September 2026 | [11] |
| Applicable federal rate, Short-term (3 years or less), annual | 4.1% | August 2026 | [12] |
| Applicable federal rate, Mid-term (over 3 to 9 years), annual | 4.35% | August 2026 | [12] |
| Applicable federal rate, Long-term (over 9 years), annual | 4.92% | August 2026 | [12] |
Source: federalreserve.gov and irs.gov, read 7 September 2026. Set December 11, 2025 (a 25 basis-point cut), unchanged at every 2026 meeting through July 29, 2026 (9-3 vote; three members preferred a 25 bp increase), and raised 25 basis points to 3.75–4.00% on September 16, 2026 (12-0 vote). The next scheduled FOMC meeting is October 27-28, 2026. The rate most variable-rate consumer loans and credit cards are priced from; on this date it is 3 percentage points above the top of the FOMC target range (6.75 against 3.75). Section 7520 rate for August 2026: 5.20%. August is the most recent ruling the IRS AFR index listed on 2026-09-07.
Consumer credit: what banks charge
From the Federal Reserve's G.19 release, Terms of Credit table (not seasonally adjusted). These are averages across reporting banks, not what any one card or loan charges. Added in sitting B-II for the credit-card payoff calculator.
| Rate | Value | Period | A year earlier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card plans, commercial banks: average APR on accounts assessed interest | 22.15% | Q2 2026 (collected May 2026), preliminary | 22.25% (Q2 2025) | [13] |
| Credit card plans, commercial banks: average stated APR across all accounts | 20.94% | Q2 2026 (collected May 2026), preliminary | — | [13] |
| New car loans at commercial banks, 60-month, average rate | 7.14% | Q2 2026 (collected May 2026), preliminary | 7.67% (Q2 2025) | [13] |
Source: Federal Reserve G.19, release date 7 August 2026, read 7 September 2026. The rate for accounts assessed interest is the annualized ratio of total finance charges at all reporting banks to the total average daily balances against which the finance charges were assessed (excludes accounts for which no finance charges were assessed). This is the right default for a payoff calculator: it is the rate paid by people who carry a balance. The 'all accounts' figure below includes cards paid in full every month, which pulls the average down.
The short version
The figures change every January; the source does not
Every number on this page comes from one of three publishers: the IRS revenue procedure or notice that sets it, the Social Security Administration’s actuarial pages, or the Federal Reserve’s own releases. When a figure here disagrees with something you read elsewhere, open the source beside it — the row links to the document, not to a summary of it. The tax figures hold for the whole of 2026; the Federal Reserve rows are dated to the day and will move.
Article sources
- IRS Notice 2025-67 — IRS Notice 2025-67, 2026 Amounts Relating to Retirement Plans and IRAs, as Adjusted for Changes in Cost-of-Living. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 13 November 2025.
- Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — Rev. Proc. 2025-32, 2026 inflation-adjusted items (as amended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 9 October 2025.
- Rev. Proc. 2025-19 — Rev. Proc. 2025-19, 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 19 May 2025.
- IRS Publication 969 — IRS Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Administration, Latest Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Administration, Contribution and Benefit Base. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Administration, Quarter of Coverage. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Administration, Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Administration, Social Security and Medicare Tax Rates. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Federal Reserve press release — Federal Reserve press release, FOMC statement of September 16, 2026. Fetched 16 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 16 September 2026.
- Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 — Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15, Selected Interest Rates (daily). Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 4 September 2026.
- Rev. Rul. 2026-13 — Rev. Rul. 2026-13, applicable federal rates for August 2026. Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200.
- Federal Reserve Statistical Release G.19 — Federal Reserve Statistical Release G.19, Consumer Credit (June 2026 data; Terms of Credit table). Fetched 7 September 2026, HTTP 200. Published 7 August 2026.