2016 Income Tax Brackets
The Federal income tax has 7 brackets: 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, and 39.6%. The amount of tax you owe depends on your income level and filing status.
It’s important to understand that moving into a higher tax bracket does not mean that all of your income will be taxed at a higher rate. Instead, only the money that you earn within a particular bracket is subject to that particular tax rate.
Single
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
| $0—$9,275 | 10% |
| $9,276—$37,650 | $927.50 plus 15% of the amount over $9,275 |
| $37,651—$91,150 | $5,183.75 plus 25% of the amount over $37,650 |
| $91,151—$190,150 | $18,558.75 plus 28% of the amount over $91,150 |
| $190,151—$ 413,350 | $46,278.75 plus 33% of the amount over $190,150 |
| $413,351—$415,050 | $119,934.75 plus 35% of the amount over $413,350 |
| $415,051 or more | $120,529.75 plus 39.6% of the amount over $415,050 |
Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
| $0—$18,550 | 10% |
| $18,551—$75,300 | $1,855 plus 15% of the amount over $18,550 |
| $75,301—$151,900 | $10,367.50 plus 25% of the amount over $75,300 |
| $151,901—$231,450 | $29,517.50 plus 28% of the amount over $151,900 |
| $231,451—$413,350 | $51,791.50 plus 33% of the amount over $231,450 |
| $413,351—$466,950 | $111,818.50 plus 35% of the amount over $413,350 |
| $466,951 or more | $130,578.50 plus 39.6% of the amount over $466,950 |
Married Filing Separately
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
| $0—$9,275 | 10% |
| $9,276—$37,650 | $927.50 plus 15% of the amount over $9,275 |
| $37,651—$75,950 | $5,183.75 plus 25% of the amount over $37,650 |
| $75,951—$115,725 | $14,758.75 plus 28% of the amount over $75,950 |
| $115,726—$206,675 | $25,895.75 plus 33% of the amount over $115,725 |
| $206,676—$233,475 | $55,909.25 plus 35% of the amount over $206,675 |
| $233,476 or more | $65,289.25 plus 39.6% of the amount over $233,475 |
Head of Household
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
| $0—$13,250 | 10% |
| $13,251—$50,400 | $1,325 plus 15% of the amount over $13,250 |
| $50,401—$130,150 | $6,897.50 plus 25% of the amount over $50,400 |
| $130,151—$210,800 | $26,835 plus 28% of the amount over $130,150 |
| $210,801—$413,350 | $49,417 plus 33% of the amount over $210,800 |
| $413,351—$441,000 | $116,258.50 plus 35% of the amount over $413,350 |
| $441,001 or more | $125,936 plus 39.6% of the amount over $441,000 |
2016 Personal Exemption Amounts
For tax year 2016, the personal exemption amount is $4,050 (compared to $4,000 in 2015).
You are allowed to claim one personal exemption for yourself and one for your spouse (if married). However, if somebody else can list you as a dependent on their tax return, you are not permitted to claim a personal exemption for yourself.
The personal exemption amount “phases out” for taxpayers with higher incomes. The Personal Exemption Phaseout (PEP) thresholds are as follows:
| Filing Status | PEP Threshold Starts | PEP Threshold Ends |
| Single | $259,400 | $381,900 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $311,300 | $433,800 |
| Married Filing Separately | $155,650 | $216,900 |
| Head of Household | $285,350 | $407,850 |
2016 Standard Deduction Amounts
There are two main types of tax deductions: the standard deduction and itemized deductions. You can claim one type of deduction on your tax return, but not both.
For example, if you claim the standard deduction, you cannot itemize deductions – and vice versa (if you itemize deductions, you cannot claim the standard deduction). You are allowed to use whichever type of deduction results in the lowest tax.
The standard deduction is subtracted from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), thereby reducing your taxable income. For tax year 2016, the standard deduction amounts are as follows:
| Filing Status | Standard Deduction |
| Single | $6,300 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $12,600 |
| Married Filing Separately | $6,300 |
| Head of Household | $9,300 |
| Qualifying Widow(er) | $12,600 |
Note that there is an additional standard deduction for elderly or blind taxpayers, which is $1,250 for tax year 2016. The additional standard deduction amount increases to $1,550 if the individual is also unmarried and not a qualifying widow(er).
