2026 Tax & Retirement Limits.
The complete reference for 2026 federal tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, and key financial numbers.Every 2026 federal tax and retirement number that drives a calculator on this site, in one place. Brackets, contribution limits, FICA wage base, Medicare premiums, capital gains tiers, estate exemptions — with the IRS source linked on every page.
- You're filing 2026 returns or projecting 2026 take-home pay.
- You're choosing how much to put into a 401(k), HSA, or Roth this year.
- You're a planner or accountant who wants a single bookmarkable reference.
Looking Ahead: 2027 Projected Limits
The IRS hasn't announced official 2027 limits yet, but we've published projected estimates based on expected ~3% inflation adjustments to 2026 figures. All 2027 pages include clear "projected" disclaimers.
View 2027 Projected Limits →Frequently asked questions
What's new in 2026 vs 2025?
401(k) deferral limit rises to $23,500 (was $23,000). Standard deduction is $15,000 single / $30,000 MFJ. Social Security COLA is 2.5%. SS wage base is $176,100. HSA limits rise to $4,300 self / $8,550 family. Estate exemption is $13.99M.
Where does this data come from?
The IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and related notices, plus the SSA's annual COLA release. Every leaf page links to its primary IRS source. Last verified within 7 days of IRS announcement.
Do these numbers apply to my state taxes?
No — these are federal-only. State income tax brackets, sales tax rates, and state-specific deductions live on the per-state pages under /state-calculators/.
When will 2027 numbers be official?
The IRS typically releases the following year's adjustments in October–November. Until then, our /2027/ pages show projected estimates based on expected ~3% inflation adjustments, clearly marked as projected.
Why is there a TCJA sunset warning on the estate tax page?
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the estate exemption through 2025. The 2026 figure reflects the One Big Beautiful Bill extension; if it's repealed, the exemption could revert to roughly half. Estate planning calculators flag this scenario.