The IRS has raised the thresholds for federal tax brackets for income taxes and capital gains for 2022. That means many taxpayers with the same or even slighter higher income in 2022 vs. 2021 will still be in a lower bracket. They’ll be subject to lower tax bills.
Will you fall into a higher federal tax bracket in 2022? Check our comparative tables (below) to see how you’ll fare vs. 2021, no matter what your income level is.
If you are starting to gather paperwork for your 2021 return, of course you need to know what the brackets and rates are for 2021 taxes.
If you are turning your attention to tax planning for 2022, keep this in mind: Tax rates — as opposed to brackets — did not change compared to 2021. The IRS will use the same seven rates.
Tax Brackets: What’s New For 2022
2022 tax brackets did change.
That means in 2022 it will take higher income to become subject to each of the six higher tax brackets. That’s generally good for taxpayers.
The IRS adjusts the brackets to account for inflation.
Look at it this way: If your income stays the same in 2022 vs. 2021 and your 2021 income was just enough to reach any one of the six upper brackets, you’ll fall to a lower bracket in 2022.
To see where the thresholds are for each bracket in 2022 vs. 2021, compare the tables below.
Federal Tax Brackets For Ordinary Income: 2021 Vs. 2022
Compare 2021 federal tax brackets and tax rates to the 2022 tax brackets and their marginal tax rates. The 2021 brackets and rates are shown below.
2021 Federal Tax Brackets With Each Bracket’s Marginal Tax Rate, Based On A Taxpayer’s Taxable Income
| Tax rate | Single filers | Married joint filers | Heads of households |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $9,950 | $0 – $19,900 | $0 – $14,200 |
| 12% | $9,951 – $40,525 | $19,901 – $81,050 | $14,201 – $54,200 |
| 22% | $40,526 – $86,375 | $81,051 – $172,750 | $54,201 – $86,350 |
| 24% | $86,376 – $164,925 | $172,751 – $329,850 | $86,351 – $164,900 |
| 32% | $164,926 – $209,425 | $329,851 – $418,850 | $164,901 – $209,400 |
| 35% | $209,426 – $523,600 | $418,851 – $628,300 | $209,401 – $523,600 |
| 37% | $523,601 or more | $628,301 or more | $523,601 or more |
2022 Federal Tax Brackets With Each Bracket’s Marginal Tax Rate, Based On A Taxpayer’s Taxable Income
| Tax rate | Single filers | Married joint filers |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $10,275 | $0 – $20,550 |
| 12% | $10,276 – $41,775 | $20,551 – $83,550 |
| 22% | $41,776 – $89,075 | $83,551 – $178,150 |
| 24% | $89,076 – $170,050 | $178,151 – $340,100 |
| 32% | $170,051 – $215,950 | $340-101 – $431,900 |
| 35% | $215,951 – $539,900 | $431,901 – $647,850 |
| 37% | $539,901 or more | $647,851 or more |