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2021 Federal Income Tax Rates, Brackets, & Standard Deduction Amounts

US Tax Center Staff Published: December 1, 2020May 3, 2024

IRS Tax Tables & Deduction Amounts for Tax Year 2021

This article gives you the tax rates and related numbers that you will need to prepare your 2021 income tax return. In general, 2021 personal income tax returns are due by April 15, 2022.

If you are looking for 2020 tax rates, you can find them HERE.

2021 Individual Income Tax Brackets

The federal tax brackets are broken down into seven (7) taxable income groups, based on your filing status. The tax rates for 2021 are: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.

It’s important to remember that moving up into a higher tax bracket does not mean that all of your income will be taxed at the higher rate. Only the money you earn within a particular bracket is subject to the corresponding tax rate. The tables below help demonstrate this concept.

For more information, see How to Determine Your Income Tax Bracket.

Here are the tax rate brackets for each filing status:

Single / Unmarried Individuals

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 to $9,950	10%
$9,950 – $40,525	$995 + 12% of the amount over $9,950
$40,525 – $86,375	$4,664 + 22% of the amount over $40,525
$86,376 – $164,925	$14,751 + 24% of the amount over $86,375
$164,926 – $209,425	$33,603 + 32% of the amount over $164,925
$209,426 – $523,600	$47,843 + 35% of the amount over $209,425
$523,601 or more	$157,804.25 + 37% of the amount over $523,600

Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow/Widower

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $19,900	10%
$19,901 – $81,050	$1,990 + 12% of the amount over $19,900
$81,051 – $172,750	$9,328 + 22% of the amount over $81,050
$172,751 – $329,850	$29,502 + 24% of the amount over $172,750
$329,850 – $418,850	$67,206 + 32% of the amount over $329,850
$418,851 – $628,300	$95,686 + 35% of the amount over $418,850
$628,301 or more	$168,993.50 + 37% of the amount over $628,300

Married Filing Separately

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $9,950	10%
$9,951 – $40,525	$995 + 12% of the amount over $9,950
$40,526 – $86,375	$4,664 + 22% of the amount over $40,525
$86,376 – $164,925	$14,751 + 24% of the amount over $86,375
$164,926 – $209,425	$33,603 + 32% of the amount over $164,925
$209,426 – $314,150	$47,843 + 35% of the amount over $209,425
$314,151 or more	$84,496.75 + 37% of the amount over $314,150

Head of Household

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $14,200	10%
$14,201 – $54,200	$1,420 + 12% of the amount over $14,200
$14,201 – $54,200	$6,220 + 22% of the amount over $54,200
$86,351 – $164,900	$13,293 + 24% of the amount over $86,350
$164,901 – $209,400	$32,145 + 32% of the amount over $164,900
$209,401 – $523,600	$46,385 + 35% of the amount over $209,400
$523,601 or more	$156,355 + 37% of the amount over $523,600

>> File Your Taxes Online

NOTE: There are no personal exemption amounts for 2021.

Your filing status depends on your personal situation (e.g., whether you are married or have dependents). You should review the available federal filing statuses and choose the one that best fits your situation. If you qualify for more than one filing status, you may select the one that offers you the most tax benefits.

2021 Standard Deduction Amounts

There are two main types of tax deductions: the standard deduction and itemized deductions. The IRS allows you to claim one type of tax deduction, but not both.

Tax deductions lower your taxable income. They are subtracted from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

Here are the 2021 standard deductions amounts for each filing status:

Filing Status	Standard Deduction
Single	$12,550
Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)	$25,100
Married Filing Separately	$12,550
Head of Household	$18,800

There is an additional standard deduction of $1,350 for taxpayers who are over age 65 or blind. The amount of the additional standard deduction increases to $1,700 for taxpayers who are unmarried.

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