These GA taxpayers will owe less in 2026 under new federal tax brackets. See what you’ll pay
The IRS announced new federal income tax brackets for 2026 on Oct. 9, along with adjustments to the standard deduction. These stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which directed the IRS to adjust thresholds and deductions to offset inflation and deliver modest relief for middle-income households
Although the tax rates stay the same, income levels for each bracket rise, meaning a little more of your income won’t be taxed as heavily.
This means more of your earnings will be taxed at lower rates
What’s changing in 2026
The tax rates themselves won’t be changing, but the income cutoffs for each bracket increased by roughly 3–4% compared to 2025.
According to The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit tax policy organization the upward shifts are due to inflation adjustments, so you’ll begin hitting higher tax-rates at higher income levels in 2026 vs 2025.
This means more income stays in lower brackets, trimming your overall tax bill slightly.
New 2026 bracket changes
| Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household | Approx. % Increase |
| 10% | Up to $12,400 | Up to $24,800 | Up to $17,700 | +4.0% |
| 12% | $12,401–$50,400 | $24,801–$100,800 | $17,701–$67,450 | +3.9% |
| 22% | $50,401–$105,700 | $100,801–$211,400 | $67,451–$105,700 | +2.3% |
| 24% | $105,701–$201,775 | $211,401–$403,550 | $105,701–$201,750 | +2.3% |
| 32% | $201,776–$256,225 | $403,551–$512,450 | $201,751–$256,200 | +2.4% |
| 35% | $256,226–$640,600 | $512,451–$768,700 | $256,201–$640,600 | +2.3% |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 | +2.3% |
Which income brackets could pay less tax
Nearly all U.S. earners will pay slightly less federal income tax in 2026 compared to 2025, thanks to inflation adjustments, but the biggest relief could go to middle-income households whose pay didn’t rise faster than inflation.
Who pays less?
- Low to middle-income earners: Workers earning $40,000 to $110,000 (single) or $80,000 to $220,000 will likely see the biggest drop in taxes.
- Households on a bracket bubble: Taxpayers whose household income is on or near a bracket threshold could have a smaller portion taxed at a higher rate
- Low-wage workers: Those making under $50,000 (single) or $100,000 (married) will benefit mostly from the larger standard deduction
- High earners: Taxpayers earning above $640,000 (singles) or $770,000 (married) will see modest relief
This will feel like a small raise in take-home pay starting in early 2026
The standard deduction is rising too
There are two options for lowering your taxable income: the standard deduction and itemized deductions.
According to NerdWallet, standard deductions usually depend on your filing status and most filers don’t have to prove anything, often making it the easier choice, but the parameters are changing for the upcoming tax season.
Various new deductions/credits and special‐category deductions are being introduced, thanks, in part, to President Trump’s One Big Beautify Bill Act, which also increased the standard deduction for tax year 2025 (filed 2026).
Key takeaways
- Because the thresholds are going up for inflation, people whose income rises slightly won’t get pushed into a higher bracket, which is a good thing. It helps avoid “bracket creep.”
- The rate on the next dollar earned stays the same, and sudden jumps into a higher bracket are less likely.
- Increase in the standard deduction means more of their income is shielded from tax.
Although many American families will feel a small raise in take-home pay, some of the more generous changes skew toward higher earners or specific groups.
If you have more questions or concerns, visit the official IRS website or email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "These GA taxpayers will owe less in 2026 under new federal tax brackets. See what you’ll pay."