A drafting guide to the tax year 2026 Form 1040 rates, standard deductions and filing deadlines for individual US taxpayers, and the IRS-described filing method, for accountants preparing US individual income tax returns.
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| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill |
| Top marginal rate, single | 37% for incomes greater than $640,600 | Page: "the top tax rate remains 37% for individual single taxpayers with incomes greater than $640,600" |
| Top marginal rate, married filing jointly | 37% for incomes greater than $768,700 | Page states $768,700 for married couples filing jointly |
| 35% rate | over $256,225 single; $512,450 married filing jointly | Page: "The other rates are: 35% for incomes over $256,225 ($512,450 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 32% rate | over $201,775 single; $403,550 married filing jointly | Page: "32% for incomes over $201,775 ($403,550 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 24% rate | over $105,700 single; $211,400 married filing jointly | Page: "24% for incomes over $105,700 ($211,400 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 22% rate | over $50,400 single; $100,800 married filing jointly | Page: "22% for incomes over $50,400 ($100,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 12% rate | over $12,400 single; $24,800 married filing jointly | Page: "12% for incomes over $12,400 ($24,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 10% rate | $12,400 or less single; $24,800 or less married filing jointly | Page: "The lowest rate is 10% for incomes of single individuals with incomes of $12,400 or less ($24,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
Form 1040 is the annual US individual income tax return. Form 1040 is used by citizens or residents of the United States to file an annual income tax return , and Form 1040-SR is available as an optional alternative to using Form 1040 for taxpayers who are age 65 or older, using the same schedules and instructions as Form 1040 . The return covers the taxpayer's tax year; for most individuals that is the calendar year ending 31 December. Figures are for tax year 2026. The IRS states that the tax year 2026 adjustments generally apply to tax returns filed in 2027 . Where a figure below is published by the IRS for a different year, the table note says so.
This Guide is for individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States filing an annual federal income tax return on Form 1040, and for taxpayers age 65 or older who use Form 1040-SR instead. If you have wages, you file Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S. Income Tax Return for Seniors; if you have a business or side income, you file Form 1040 with a Schedule C. It is not for nonresident aliens, who file a different return, and it is not for entity returns. It does not cover state or local income tax returns.
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill |
| Top marginal rate, single | 37% for incomes greater than $640,600 | Page: "the top tax rate remains 37% for individual single taxpayers with incomes greater than $640,600" |
| Top marginal rate, married filing jointly | 37% for incomes greater than $768,700 | Page states $768,700 for married couples filing jointly |
| 35% rate | over $256,225 single; $512,450 married filing jointly | Page: "The other rates are: 35% for incomes over $256,225 ($512,450 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 32% rate | over $201,775 single; $403,550 married filing jointly | Page: "32% for incomes over $201,775 ($403,550 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 24% rate | over $105,700 single; $211,400 married filing jointly | Page: "24% for incomes over $105,700 ($211,400 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 22% rate | over $50,400 single; $100,800 married filing jointly | Page: "22% for incomes over $50,400 ($100,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 12% rate | over $12,400 single; $24,800 married filing jointly | Page: "12% for incomes over $12,400 ($24,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| 10% rate | $12,400 or less single; $24,800 or less married filing jointly | Page: "The lowest rate is 10% for incomes of single individuals with incomes of $12,400 or less ($24,800 for married couples filing jointly)" |
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill |
| Standard deduction, married filing jointly | $32,200 | Page: "the standard deduction increases to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly" |
| Standard deduction, single and married filing separately | $16,100 | Page: "the standard deduction rises to $16,100 for tax year 2026" |
| Standard deduction, head of household | $24,150 | Page states the head of household standard deduction will be $24,150 |
| Personal exemptions | 0 | Page: "For tax year 2026, personal exemptions remain at 0, as in tax year 2025" |
| Alternative minimum tax exemption, unmarried individuals | $90,100, phase-out begins at $500,000 | Page: "the exemption amount for unmarried individuals is $90,100 and begins to phase out at $500,000" |
| Alternative minimum tax exemption, married filing jointly | $140,200, phase-out begins at $1,000,000 | Page states $140,200 for married couples filing jointly, phasing out from $1,000,000 |
| Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit, three or more qualifying children | $8,231 | Page: "The tax year 2026 maximum Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) amount is $8,231 for qualifying taxpayers who have three or more qualifying children" ; other categories are in Revenue Procedure 2025-32 |
| Foreign earned income exclusion | $132,900 | Page: "For tax year 2026, the foreign earned income exclusion is $132,900 up from $130,000 for tax year 2025" |
| Lifetime Learning Credit phase-out | MAGI between $80,000 and $90,000; $160,000 and $180,000 for joint returns | Page states this amount is not adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2020 |
The IRS states that the itemised deduction limitation eliminated for tax years 2018 to 2025 was permanently eliminated by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, "although it imposes a limitation on the tax benefit from itemized deductions for those taxpayers in the highest tax bracket (37%)" . The pages read do not state the amount of that limitation for tax year 2026.
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/new-and-enhanced-deductions-for-individuals |
| Year stated on the page | 2026 filing season | Page is IRS Tax Tip 2026-12 and states these deductions were "introduced for the 2026 filing season" ; the page does not restate these amounts for tax year 2026 |
| Additional deduction, seniors age 65 and older | $6,000 | Page: "Seniors age 65 and older may be eligible to claim an additional $6,000 deduction" |
| Qualified tips deduction | up to $25,000 | Page: "Tipped workers may be eligible to deduct up to $25,000 for qualified tips" |
| Qualified overtime deduction | up to $12,500; $25,000 for joint filers | Page: "Individuals may be eligible to deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) for qualified overtime" |
| Qualified passenger vehicle loan interest | up to $10,000 | Page: "Individuals may deduct up to $10,000 in qualified passenger vehicle loan interest" |
| Availability | itemising and non-itemising taxpayers | Page: "All new or enhanced deductions are available for both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers" |
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc301 |
| Calendar year filers | generally April 15 of each year | Page: "If you're a calendar year filer and your tax year ends on December 31, the due date for filing your federal individual income tax return is generally April 15 of each year" ; the page states the 2025 tax return due date as April 15, 2026 and does not state a date for the tax year 2026 return |
| Automatic extension of time to file | 6 months, by filing Form 4868 by the original due date | Page: "To request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return, you must file Form 4868 by the original due date of your return" |
| Extension and payment | an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay | Page states interest is owed if the tax is not paid by the original due date, and a late-payment penalty may also apply |
| Taxpayers abroad or on military duty outside the US and Puerto Rico | automatic 2-month extension to file and pay without filing Form 4868 | Page states interest is charged on any amount not paid by the original due date until the tax is paid |
| Disaster-affected taxpayers | up to one year after the due date, depending on the deadline specified by the Service | Page: "If the Service determines you to be affected by a disaster, you may have up to one year after the due date of your return to file and pay taxes, depending on the deadline specified by the Service" |
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/when-to-file |
| Fiscal year filers | the fourth month after the fiscal year ends, day 15 | Page: "File on: The fourth month after your fiscal year ends, day 15" |
| Weekend or holiday | due date delayed until the next business day | Page: "If day 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date is delayed until the next business day" |
| Mailed returns | filed on time if properly addressed, postmarked and deposited in the mail by the due date | Page: "Your return is considered filed on time if your envelope is properly addressed, postmarked and deposited in the mail by the due date" |
| What | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Source | all figures below | https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/how-to-file |
| Free File | adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less | Page: "Free File - If your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less. If higher, you can use Free File Fillable Forms" ; the page states this alongside the 2025 tax return deadline and does not state a tax year for the threshold |
| IRS-certified volunteer help | earn $69,000 or less, have a disability, are 60 years or older or need language support | Page states these as the conditions for volunteer assistance; no tax year is stated for the threshold |
Check whether a return is required. The IRS sets out the filing-requirement tables and a questionnaire at Check if you need to file a tax return, where gross income is defined as earned plus unearned income and unearned income includes taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gain distributions, unemployment compensation, taxable Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities and distributions of unearned income from a trust . The tables currently published on that page are stated for 2025. The pages read describe no registration step before filing a Form 1040.
Gather the documents. The IRS filing sequence is check if you need to file, gather your documents, get credits and deductions, file your return, get your refund, pay taxes on time, be ready to file taxes next year , set out at How to file your taxes: step by step.
Choose the right form and schedules. See About Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Numbered Schedules 1, 2 and 3 are used where the taxpayer has, for example, additional income such as unemployment compensation, prize or award money or gambling winnings, or deductions to claim such as student loan interest deduction, self-employment tax or educator expenses , or credits not claimed on Form 1040 or 1040-SR such as the foreign tax credit, education credits or the general business credit, or other payments such as an amount paid with a request for an extension to file or excess social security tax withheld . For Schedule A and the other lettered schedules the page directs you to Schedules for Form 1040.
Prepare the return using the rates and standard deduction in the tables above, from IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026.
Assemble and sign. Per Topic no. 301, attach to the front of the return copies of Form W-2G, Form 1099-R and any other income document if there was federal income tax withheld , together with any other applicable forms the instructions indicate to attach to the front of your return (for example, Form 2439, Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains) , and place related schedules and forms behind your return in the order of the sequence number located in the upper right-hand corner of the schedule or form . Where a corrected Form W-2 has been received, attach Form W-2c and a copy of both the original Forms W-2 and any Forms W-2c . If you file a joint return, both spouses must sign the return.
File by the due date in the deadlines table, electronically or on paper. The IRS notes at Topic no. 301 that you may want to file your return electronically instead of mailing it, to receive your refund faster , and at About Form 1040 directs paper filers to the Where to file page for the current filing address.
If more time is needed, file Form 4868 by the original due date, as set out at When to file: "You must file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return by the original due date of your return" , and pay any owed taxes by the original due date to avoid possible penalties .
Pay any balance due. Topic no. 301 directs taxpayers to the Make a payment page for payment by credit or debit card, digital wallet, other electronic payment options, or cash , and states that if you cannot pay all of the tax due on your return, the IRS may be able to assist you with a payment arrangement .
If a return for an earlier year is outstanding, When to file states that if you haven't filed your federal income tax return for this year or for prior years, you should file your return as soon as possible .
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