Guide
2026 Financial Planning Limits and Tax Reference Guide
A current-year planning reference guide covering key 2026 retirement, Social Security, Medicare, estate and gift tax, HSA, education, mileage, capital gains, income tax, and AMT figures.
This guide brings together the key 2026 figures that shape financial planning decisions across retirement saving, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, education planning, and estate planning. It is built as a quick-reference resource for the annual limits, thresholds, and tax rules readers are most likely to need during the year.
Readers who want evergreen definitions and deeper explanations can use this guide alongside Contribution Limits, IRA Contribution Limit, IRA, Social Security, Medicare, Estate Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Health Savings Account (HSA).
Retirement Plans
These limits shape how much workers, business owners, and employers can set aside in tax-advantaged retirement plans during 2026. They are the starting point for annual savings strategy, plan design, and catch-up contribution planning.
Workplace retirement plans | |
|---|---|
401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, and TSP elective deferral limit | $24,500 |
Catch-up contribution, age 50 or older | $8,000 |
Catch-up contribution, ages 60-63 | $11,250 |
Starter 401(k) | $6,000 |
Catch-up contribution, age 50 or older | $1,100 |
SIMPLE IRA / SIMPLE 401(k) employee deferral limit | $17,000 |
Catch-up contribution, age 50 or older | $4,000 |
Catch-up contribution, ages 60-63 | $5,250 |
Defined contribution annual additions limit | $72,000 |
Defined benefit annual benefit limit | $290,000 |
Annual compensation cap | $360,000 |
Highly compensated employee threshold | $160,000 |
Key employee threshold for top-heavy plans | $235,000 |
SEP minimum compensation threshold | $800 |
These figures answer the current-year number question, but account-specific rules still matter. A household still has to apply plan design, eligibility, compensation, and tax rules correctly.
IRAs and Roth IRAs
IRA planning is not just about the headline contribution amount. Deduction phaseouts, Roth income limits, and distribution rules often matter just as much.
IRA / Roth IRA Contributions | |
|---|---|
IRA / Roth IRA contribution limit | $7,500 |
IRA catch-up contribution, age 50 or older | $1,100 |
IRA deduction phaseout for active participants | |
Single / head of household | $81,000-$91,000 |
Married filing | $129,000-$149,000 |
Married filing separately | $0-$10,000 |
Non-active participant but spouse is active | $242,000-$252,000 |
Direct Roth IRA phaseout | |
Single / head of household | $153,000-$168,000 |
Married filing jointly / qualifying surviving spouse | $242,000-$252,000 |
Married filing separately | $0-$10,000 |
For adjacent decision content, see Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which Makes More Sense?, How Roth IRA Conversions Work, What Happens if You Contribute Too Much to an IRA?, What Are Required Minimum Distributions and Why Do They Matter?, and Can You Contribute to a Roth IRA if You Make Too Much?.
Social Security
These Social Security figures help workers and retirees estimate payroll-tax exposure, earnings-test limits, and potential benefit ceilings for 2026.
Social Security payroll-tax exposure | |
|---|---|
Maximum taxable earnings (OASDI wage base) | $184,500 |
FICA tax rate, employee | 7.65% |
SECA tax rate, self-employed | 15.3% |
Retirement earnings test | |
Under full retirement age | $24,480 per year / $2,040 per month |
Year reaching full retirement age | $65,160 per year / $5,430 per month |
Benefit ceilings | |
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) | 2.8% |
Quarter of coverage | $1,890 |
Maximum monthly benefit at full retirement age | $4,152 |
Estimated average monthly retired-worker benefit | $2,071 |
Social Security FRA
Full retirement age helps determine when unreduced retirement benefits begin and how the earnings test changes. This lookup table makes it easier to connect birth year to the FRA that applies.
Year of birth | Full retirement age |
|---|---|
1943-1954 | 66 |
1955 | 66 and 2 months |
1956 | 66 and 4 months |
1957 | 66 and 6 months |
1958 | 66 and 8 months |
1959 | 66 and 10 months |
1960 and later | 67 |
Medicare
These Medicare figures help retirees and pre-retirees estimate premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and income-related surcharges for 2026. They matter most when healthcare costs and taxable income need to be planned together.
Monthly premium | |
|---|---|
Part A premium | $0 for most beneficiaries; otherwise $311 or $565 per month |
Part B standard premium | $202.90 per month |
Part A | |
Inpatient deductible - first 60 days | $1,736 per benefit period |
Inpatient coinsurance, days 61-90 | $434 per day |
Lifetime reserve days, days 91-150 | $868 per day |
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | |
First 20 days - patient pays | $0 |
Days 21-100 - patient pays | $217 per day |
Over 100 days - patient pays | All costs |
Part B | |
Deductible | $283 |
Coinsurance | 20% |
Part D | |
Maximum deductible | $615 |
Out-of-pocket threshold for catastrophic coverage | $2,100 |
National base beneficiary premium | $38.99 |
2026 Medicare IRMAA brackets
MAGI filing status | Part B total premium | Part D IRMAA |
|---|---|---|
Single up to $109,000 / joint up to $218,000 | $202.90 | $0.00 |
Single $109,000-$137,000 / joint $218,000-$274,000 | $284.10 | $14.50 |
Single $137,000-$171,000 / joint $274,000-$342,000 | $405.80 | $37.50 |
Single $171,000-$205,000 / joint $342,000-$410,000 | $527.50 | $60.40 |
Single $205,000-$500,000 / joint $410,000-$750,000 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
Single $500,000+ / joint $750,000+ | $689.90 | $91.00 |
Married filling separately up to $109,000 | $202.90 | $0.00 |
Married filling separately $109,001-$391,100 | $649.20 | $83.30 |
Married filling separately $391,100+ | $689.90 | $91.00 |
Estate and Gift Tax
These estate and gift tax figures frame how much wealth can be transferred during life or at death before federal transfer-tax consequences become more important. They matter most for high-net-worth households, large gifts, and multigenerational planning.
Annual gift tax exclusion | $19,000 |
Basic estate and gift tax exclusion amount | $15,000,000 |
Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption | $15,000,000 |
Annual exclusion for gifts to a non-citizen spouse | $194,000 |
Maximum estate tax rate | 40% |
Health Savings Accounts
HSA planning depends on both the annual contribution cap and the HDHP rules that make a contribution possible in the first place. These figures help households coordinate healthcare coverage, tax savings, and catch-up contributions.
Maximum deductible amount | |
|---|---|
Single | $1,700 |
Family | $3,400 |
Maximum out-of-pocket amount | |
Single | $8,500 |
Family | $17,000 |
HSA statutory contribution maximum | |
Single | $4,400 |
Family | $8,750 |
Catch-up contribution, age 55 or older | $1,000 |
Education
These education figures help families and taxpayers estimate where credits, deductions, and account benefits may phase out or become more valuable. Some amounts change annually, while others stay fixed until Congress updates the law.
Coverdell ESA annual contribution ($2,000 limit) MAGI phaseout | |
|---|---|
Single | $95,000-$110,000 |
Married filing jointly | $190,000-$220,000 |
Education savings bond exclusion phaseout | |
Single / all other | $101,800-$116,800 |
Married filing jointly | $152,650-$182,650 |
Lifetime Learning Credit ($2,000 maximum) MAGI phaseout | |
Single | $80,000-$90,000 |
Married filing jointly | $160,000-$180,000 |
American Opportunity Tax Credit ($2,500 maximum) MAGI phaseout | |
single | $80,000-$90,000 |
Married filing jointly | $160,000-$180,000 |
Student loan interest deduction ($2,500 maximum) MAGI phaseout | |
Single | $85,000-$100,000 |
Married filing jointly | $175,000-$205,000 |
Standard Mileage Rates
The standard mileage rates matter when taxpayers, business owners, and nonprofit volunteers need a current-year reimbursement or deduction benchmark. They are especially useful for tracking business, medical, and charitable driving.
Business | 72.5 cents per mile |
Medical | 20.5 cents per mile |
Moving for certain active-duty military and certain intelligence-community moves | 20.5 cents per mile |
Charitable service | 14 cents per mile |
Income Tax
These income-tax figures help households estimate how much income can be sheltered by deductions and where other federal tax thresholds begin to matter. They are some of the most referenced annual planning numbers outside retirement accounts.
Standard deduction | |
|---|---|
Single / married filing separately | $16,100 |
Married filing jointly / qualifying surviving spouse | $32,200 |
Head of household | $24,150 |
Kiddie tax standard deduction | $1,350 |
Dependent standard deduction floor | Greater of $1,350 or earned income plus $450 |
Aged (65+) or blind additional deduction | |
Single | $2,050 |
Married (each spouse) | $1,650 |
Section 179 | |
Expensing maximum | $2,560,000 |
Phaseout threshold | $4,090,000 |
Adoption credit | |
Adoption credit maximum | $17,670 |
Adoption credit phaseout | $265,080-$305,080 |
Additional Medicare Tax threshold | |
Single / head of household / qualifying surviving spouse | $200,000 |
Married filing jointly | $250,000 |
Married filing separately | $125,000 |
Child tax credit | |
Child Tax Credit maximum | $2,200 |
Refundable Child Tax Credit amount | $1,700 |
IRS tax return filing penalty | |
Failure to file | $535 |
Capital Gains
These capital gains thresholds show where 2026 long-term capital gains move from the 0% rate to the 15% and 20% rates. They are useful for gain-harvesting decisions, portfolio sales, and year-end tax planning.
Filing status | 0% rate | 15% rate | 20% rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Single / all other individuals | up to $49,450 | up to $545,500 | Over $545,500 |
Head of household | up to $66,200 | up to $579,600 | Over $579,600 |
Married filing jointly / surviving spouse | up to $98,900 | up to $613,700 | Over $613,700 |
Married filing separately | up to $49,450 | up to $306,850 | Over $306,850 |
Estates and trusts | up to $3,300 | up to $16,250 | Over $16,250 |
Tax Rate Schedules
These schedules show how 2026 taxable income is taxed by filing status. They help readers see both the marginal rate that applies to the next dollar of income and the base tax already built into each bracket.
Single taxpayers
Over | But Not Over | Amount | Plus (percent) | Of the Amount Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 | $12,400 | --- 10% of taxable income --- | ||
$12,400 | $50,400 | $1,240 | 12% | $12,400 |
$50,400 | $105,700 | $5,800 | 22% | $50,400 |
$105,700 | $201,775 | $17,966 | 24% | $105,700 |
$201,775 | $256,225 | $41,024 | 32% | $201,775 |
$256,225 | $640,600 | $58,448 | 35% | $256,225 |
$640,600 | -- | $192,979.25 | 37% | $640,600 |
Heads of household
Over | But Not Over | Amount | Plus (percent) | Of the Amount Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 | $17,700 | --- 10% of taxable income --- | ||
$17,700 | $67,450 | $1,770 | 12% | $17,700 |
$67,450 | $105,700 | $7,740 | 22% | $67,450 |
$105,700 | $201,750 | $16,155 | 24% | $105,700 |
$201,750 | $256,200 | $39,207 | 32% | $201,750 |
$256,200 | $640,600 | $56,631 | 35% | $256,200 |
$640,600 | -- | $191,171.00 | 37% | $640,600 |
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses
Over | But Not Over | Amount | Plus (percent) | Of the Amount Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 | $24,800 | --- 10% of taxable income --- | ||
$24,800 | $100,800 | $2,480 | 12% | $24,800 |
$100,800 | $211,400 | $11,600 | 22% | $100,800 |
$211,400 | $403,550 | $35,932 | 24% | $211,400 |
$403,550 | $512,450 | $82,048 | 32% | $403,550 |
$512,450 | $768,700 | $116,896 | 35% | $512,450 |
$768,700 | -- | $206,583.50 | 37% | $768,700 |
Married filing separately
Over | But Not Over | Amount | Plus (percent) | Of the Amount Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 | $12,400 | --- 10% of taxable income --- | ||
$12,400 | $50,400 | $1,240 | 12% | $12,400 |
$50,400 | $105,700 | $5,800 | 22% | $50,400 |
$105,700 | $201,775 | $17,966 | 24% | $105,700 |
$201,775 | $256,225 | $41,024 | 32% | $201,775 |
$256,225 | $384,350 | $58,448 | 35% | $256,225 |
$384,350 | -- | $103,291.75 | 37% | $384,350 |
Estates and trusts
Over | But Not Over | Amount | Plus (percent) | Of the Amount Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 | $3,300 | --- 10% of taxable income --- | ||
$3,300 | $11,700 | $330 | 24% | $3,300 |
$11,700 | $16,000 | $2,346 | 35% | $11,700 |
$16,000 | -- | $3,851 | 37% | $16,000 |
Alternative Minimum Tax
These AMT figures show when the alternative minimum tax may become more relevant and where the exemption begins to phase out. They matter most for higher-income households, concentrated exercises, and tax projections with preference items.
AMT | Exemption | Phaseout |
|---|---|---|
Single | $90,100 | $500,000-$680,200 |
Married filing jointly / surviving spouse | $140,200 | $1,000,000-$1,280,400 |
Married filing separately | $70,100 | $500,000-$640,200 |
Estates and trusts | $31,400 | $104,800-$167,600 |
AMT rates | ||
26% rate applies up to | $244,500 for most filers / $122,250 for married filing separately | |
28% rate applies above | $244,500 for most filers / $122,250 for married filing separately | |
Other Planning Thresholds
These figures cover useful planning limits that do not fit neatly into the larger sections but still come up in annual tax and benefits planning.
Item | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
PBGC maximum monthly guarantee at age 65 (straight-life annuity) | $7,789.77 |
Qualified transportation fringe benefit, commuter / transit | $340 per month |
Qualified parking exclusion | $340 per month |
Health FSA salary reduction limit | $3,400 |
Health FSA carryover maximum | $680 |
Long-term care per diem limit | $430 |
Long-term care premium limit, age 40 or under | $500 |
Long-term care premium limit, age 41-50 | $930 |
Long-term care premium limit, age 51-60 | $1,860 |
Long-term care premium limit, age 61-70 | $4,960 |
Long-term care premium limit, over age 70 | $6,200 |
Qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC) premium limit | $210,000 |
Qualified charitable distribution (QCD) annual exclusion | $111,000 |
One-time QCD to certain split-interest entities | $55,000 |
Update Note
These figures were verified against primary IRS, SSA, CMS, Medicare.gov, and PBGC sources on March 14, 2026. This guide should be refreshed if tax law, inflation-adjustment guidance, or agency cost announcements change during the year.