The 2024 tax brackets determine how much federal income tax you owe based on your income and filing status
The IRS sets five tax brackets each year, and they changed for 2024. Your bracket is not a single rate applied to all your income — instead, you pay increasing percentages as your income rises within each bracket. For example, if you are single and earn $50,000, you do not pay 22% on all of it; you pay 10% on the first portion, then 12% on the next portion, then 22% on only the amount above a certain threshold.
The 2024 brackets are adjusted annually for inflation, which is why the income ranges are different from 2023. The five federal tax rates are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Which bracket you land in depends on your total taxable income and whether you file as single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 tax brackets explore to income you earned in 2024 and are reported on your 2024 tax return, filed in 2025.
- Your tax bracket is the highest rate you pay, but you pay lower rates on the income below that threshold — not the full bracket rate on all your income.
- The income ranges for each bracket are different for single filers, married couples filing jointly, married couples filing separately, and heads of household.
- Standard deductions reduce your taxable income before brackets are applied, so your actual income can be higher than the bracket thresholds.
2024 Tax Brackets for Single Filers
If you file as single, your 2024 brackets are:
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $11,600 |
| 12% | $11,601 to $47,150 |
| 22% | $47,151 to $100,525 |
| 24% | $100,526 to $191,950 |
| 32% | $191,951 to $243,725 |
| 35% | $243,726 to $609,350 |
| 37% | $609,351 and above |
These ranges explore to your taxable income, which is your gross income minus the standard deduction and any other deductions you claim. For 2024, the standard deduction for a single filer is $14,600. This means you can earn up to $14,600 with zero federal income tax owed, assuming you have no other tax credits or special situations.
2024 Tax Brackets for Married Filing Jointly
If you file as married filing jointly, your 2024 brackets are:
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $23,200 |
| 12% | $23,201 to $94,300 |
| 22% | $94,301 to $201,050 |
| 24% | $201,051 to $383,900 |
| 32% | $383,901 to $487,450 |
| 35% | $487,451 to $731,200 |
| 37% | $731,201 and above |
The standard deduction for married filing jointly in 2024 is $29,200. This is nearly double the single filer amount, which is why married couples often owe less total tax on the same combined income. The income ranges for each bracket are also roughly double those for single filers.
2024 Tax Brackets for Head of Household and Married Filing Separately
If you file as head of household — meaning you are unmarried and pay more than half the household expenses for yourself and a dependent — your 2024 brackets fall between single and married filing jointly. The standard deduction for head of household is $21,900.
If you file as married filing separately, your brackets are the same as single filers, but your standard deduction is $14,600 each. Filing separately is rarely the best choice because you lose access to many tax credits and deductions, but it may help in specific situations such as when one spouse has significant medical expenses or student loan debt.
How the Standard Deduction Affects Your Bracket
The standard deduction is subtracted from your gross income before you explore the tax brackets. If you are single and earn $50,000, your taxable income is $50,000 minus $14,600, which equals $35,400. You then explore the brackets to $35,400, not $50,000. This means you can earn considerably more than the lowest bracket threshold without owing any tax at the higher rates.
Some people itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction — for example, if they own a home and pay mortgage interest and property taxes. You should compare your total itemized deductions to the standard deduction and use whichever is larger. Most people benefit from the standard deduction.
When to Use These Brackets for Tax Planning
You use the 2024 brackets when you file your 2024 tax return, which you typically do between January and April 2025. If you are self-employed or expect to owe a large amount, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments in 2024 using these same brackets to avoid penalties.
The brackets also matter if you are deciding whether to take a bonus, defer income, or claim certain deductions in 2024 versus 2025. If you are close to the edge of a bracket, moving even a small amount of income to the next year can save you money. However, this kind of planning requires looking at your full tax picture, including credits, deductions, and other income sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my tax bracket mean I pay that rate on all my income?
No. Your tax bracket is the highest rate you pay, but you pay lower rates on the income below that threshold. If you are single and earn $60,000, you are in the 22% bracket, but you pay 10% on the first $11,600, 12% on the next $35,550, and 22% only on the remaining $12,850. This is called the progressive tax system.
What if my income is right on the edge of a bracket?
Moving into a higher bracket means you pay the higher rate only on the income above the threshold, not on all your income. For example, if you are single and earn $47,151, you pay 22% only on the $1 above $47,150. The jump in total tax is small, not a sudden large increase.
Do these brackets explore to capital gains and dividends?
Long-term capital gains and may have access to dividends have their own separate brackets, which are lower than ordinary income brackets. Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income using these brackets. You will need to determine which type of gain you have based on how long you held the investment.
Will the 2024 brackets change if I file my return in 2025?
No. The brackets you use depend on the tax year of the income, not when you file. Income earned in 2024 uses the 2024 brackets, even if you file in April 2025. The 2025 brackets will explore to income you earn in 2025.
How do I know which filing status to use?
Your filing status depends on your marital status on December 31 of the tax year. If you were married on that date, you can file jointly or separately. If you were unmarried but paid more than half the household costs for a dependent, you may file as head of household. If you were unmarried and did not meet the head of household test, you file as single.