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2027 Federal Tax Brackets Are Rising: What Each Filing Status Means for You

Digilifetrends Published 4 min read

Another annual inflation adjustment is set to raise the income thresholds used to calculate how much you owe the IRS.

2027 Federal Tax Brackets Are Rising: What Each Filing Status Means for You
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Many government figures are adjusted over time to keep pace with inflation, including Social Security benefits and retirement account limits.

Federal income tax brackets work the same way. The IRS has announced that every bracket will increase in 2027.

A tax bracket is a range of taxable income. It matters because it helps determine your highest tax rate and, ultimately, the amount of tax you pay.

What taxable income means

You are not taxed on every dollar you earn. Taxable income is the portion of your earnings that remains after certain deductions and adjustments.

The IRS calculates taxable income by starting with your total income and subtracting the following, when applicable:

  • Your standard deduction or itemized deductions
  • Total adjustments, also called above-the-line deductions, shown on Schedule 1 of your return
  • Your qualified business income deduction
  • Additional Schedule 1-A deductions, such as new deductions for tips, overtime and seniors

You can also check your taxable income on a past federal return. On the 2025 return, for instance, it appears on line 15.

It is too soon to know exactly what your 2027 taxable income will be, but the amount on your most recent return can offer a useful guide.

Married filing jointly

For couples filing a joint return, the 2027 brackets and tax rates are as follows:

  • Up to $25,600 (was $24,800 for 2026) — 10%
  • More than $25,600 (was $24,800) — 12%
  • More than $104,050 (was $100,800) — 22%
  • More than $218,250 (was $211,400) — 24%
  • More than $416,650 (was $403,550) — 32%
  • More than $529,100 (was $512,450) — 35%
  • More than $793,650 (was $768,700) — 37%

For example, if you are married filing jointly and your taxable income is $75,000 for 2027, you would land in the “more than $25,600” bracket and owe tax at a 12% rate.

Qualifying surviving spouse

The qualifying surviving spouse filing status uses the same income brackets as married filing jointly.

This status, formerly called qualifying widow(er), is available to people whose spouse died during the two tax years before the year of filing and who have a dependent child.

That means widows and widowers who lost a spouse in the two most recent tax years and have a dependent child may use this status on their 2027 return instead of filing as single.

Head of household

For taxpayers using the head of household filing status, the 2027 brackets and tax rates are:

  • Up to $18,250 (was $17,700 for 2026) — 10%
  • More than $18,250 (was $17,700) — 12%
  • More than $69,650 (was $67,450) — 22%
  • More than $109,100 (was $105,700) — 24%
  • More than $208,300 (was $201,750) — 32%
  • More than $264,550 (was $256,200) — 35%
  • More than $661,350 (was $640,600) — 37%

Example: If you file as head of household and your taxable income is $50,000 for 2027, you would be in the “more than $18,250” bracket and taxed at 12%.

The IRS definition of head of household is complicated, but the agency’s free filing-status tool can help determine whether you qualify.

Single

For single filers, the 2027 tax brackets and rates are:

  • Up to $12,800 (was $12,400 for 2026) — 10%
  • More than $12,800 (was $12,400) — 12%
  • More than $52,025 (was $50,400) — 22%
  • More than $109,125 (was $105,700) — 24%
  • More than $208,325 (was $201,775) — 32%
  • More than $264,550 (was $256,225) — 35%
  • More than $661,375 (was $640,600) — 37%

Example: If you are single and your taxable income is $50,000 for 2027, you would fall into the “more than $12,800” bracket and be taxed at 12%.

Married filing separately

For married taxpayers who file separate returns, the 2027 brackets and corresponding tax rates are:

  • Up to $12,800 (was $12,400 for 2026) — 10%
  • More than $12,800 (was $12,400) — 12%
  • More than $52,025 (was $50,400) — 22%
  • More than $109,125 (was $105,700) — 24%
  • More than $208,325 (was $201,775) — 32%
  • More than $264,550 (was $256,225) — 35%
  • More than $396,825 (was $384,350) — 37%

Example: If you file separately from your spouse and your taxable income is $60,000 for 2027, you would fall into the “more than $52,025” bracket and owe tax at 22%.

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