Tax Deadlines and Key Information to Know for 2026
Important updates to the tax code arrive in 2026. A new senior deduction, higher SALT limits, and increased retirement and HSA contribution caps are reshaping tax planning. Understanding these changes now can help taxpayers and investors find meaningful savings.
The tax/budget legislation known as “OBBBA,” signed into law at midyear, included provisions that will have a meaningful impact on tax and retirement planning for 2026 and beyond, including a new senior deduction and a higher cap for the deductibility of state and local taxes.
Here are key tax-related dates and data points to have on your radar for the year ahead.
2026 Important Tax Facts for All Taxpayers
All taxpayers should be aware of the new income tax brackets, deduction amounts, and exemption amounts for 2026.
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets
Seven tax brackets remain for income earned by single taxpayers and married couples filing jointly in 2026, but the specific parameters have changed, as follows:
Source: Internal Revenue Service. Data as of Dec. 16, 2025. Download CSV.
Standard Deduction
Standard deduction amounts are increasing in 2026, to $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. People who are over 65 or blind can claim an additional $1,650 per person for their standard deduction ($2,050 for unmarried people over age 65). For heads of households, the 2026 standard deduction increases to $24,150. People who are over age 65 will also be able to take a new $6,000 senior deduction, provided their modified adjusted gross incomes come in under the thresholds: $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
AMT-Exempt Amounts
The exemption amounts for the alternative minimum tax are increasing slightly in 2026, to $90,100 for single filers and $140,200 for married couples filing jointly. The exemption amounts begin to phase out for single filers with alternative minimum taxable incomes of more than $500,000, and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Estate/Gift Tax Exemption
This amount is increasing in 2026 to $15 million per individual. The annual gift-tax exclusion is staying the same at $19,000. (Note that annual gifts in excess of this amount do not automatically trigger any gift tax. Most people won’t owe estate or gift taxes in their lifetimes under current tax laws.)
2026 Important Tax Facts for Investors
Qualified Dividend and Long-Term Capital Gains Rates
Three rates are still in place for dividends and long-term capital gains—0%, 15%, and 20%. Here are the parameters for each of the rates.
0%: Single taxpayers with incomes between $0 and $49,450; married couples filing jointly with incomes between $0 and $98,900.
15%: Single taxpayers with incomes between $49,451 and $545,500; married couples filing jointly with incomes between $98,901 and $613,700.
20%: Single taxpayers with incomes over $545,501; married couples filing jointly with incomes over $613,701.
Medicare Surtax (Net Investment Income Tax)
As in years past, an additional 3.8% Medicare surtax will apply to the lesser of net investment income or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 for single taxpayers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Individual Retirement Account Rules
IRA Contribution Limits (Roth or Traditional): $7,500 under age 50/$8,600 age 50 and over.
Income Limits for Roth IRA Contribution, single filers: Modified adjusted gross income under $153,000—full Roth contribution; between $153,000 and $168,000—partial Roth contribution; more than $168,000—no Roth contribution.
Income Limits for Roth IRA Contribution, married couples filing jointly: Modified adjusted gross income under $242,000—full Roth contribution; between $242,000 and $252,000—partial Roth contribution; more than $252,000—no Roth contribution.
Income Limits for Deductible IRA Contribution, single filers covered by a retirement plan at work: Modified adjusted gross income under $81,000—fully deductible contribution; between $81,000 and $91,000—partially deductible contribution; more than $91,000—contribution not deductible.
Income Limits for Deductible IRA Contribution, single filers who are not covered by a retirement plan at work or married couples if neither spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work: None.
Income Limits for Deductible IRA Contribution, married couples filing jointly, if the contributor is covered by a retirement plan at work: Modified adjusted gross income under $129,000—fully deductible contribution; between $129,000 and $149,000—partially deductible contribution; more than $149,000—contribution not deductible.
Income Limits for Deductible IRA Contributions, married couples filing jointly, if the contributor is not covered by a retirement plan at work but the spouse is: Modified adjusted gross income under $242,000—fully deductible contribution; between $242,000 and $252,000—partially deductible contribution; more than $252,000—contribution not deductible.
Income Limits for Nondeductible IRA Contributions: None.
Income Limits for IRA Conversions: None.
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Account Rules
Contribution Limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan, or Self-Employed 401(k) (Roth or Traditional): $24,500 under age 50; $32,500 for age 50 and older. People between 60 and 63 can make “super catch-up” contributions; they can invest $35,750, assuming their plans offer the option.
Total 401(k) Contribution Limits, including employer (pretax, Roth, aftertax) and employee contributions and forfeitures: $72,000 if under age 50; $80,000 if 50-plus.
Income Limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457 Plan: None, though annual compensation limits can come into play in certain situations.
SEP IRA Contribution Limit: The lesser of 25% of compensation or $72,000.
Saver’s Tax Credit, income limit, single filers: $40,250.
Saver’s Tax Credit, income limit, married couples filing jointly: $80,500.
Health Savings Account Rules
Health Savings Account Contribution Limit, single coverage: $4,400 (contributor under age 55); $5,400 (contributor 55-plus).
Health Savings Account Contribution Limit, family coverage: $8,750 (contributor under age 55); $9,750 (contributor 55-plus).
High-Deductible Health Plan Minimum Deductible, self-only coverage: $1,750.
High-Deductible Health Plan Minimum Deductible, family coverage: $3,400.
High-Deductible Health Plan Out-of-Pocket Maximum, self-only coverage: $8,500.
High-Deductible Health Plan Out-of-Pocket Maximum, family coverage: $17,000.
Important Tax Dates to Remember in 2026
Jan. 1: New IRA, retirement plan, and HSA contribution and income limits go into effect for the 2026 tax year, as listed above.
Jan. 15: Estimated tax payments due for the fourth quarter of 2025.
April 15:
Individual tax returns (or extension request forms) are due for the 2025 tax year.
Last day to contribute to an IRA for the 2025 tax year (2025 contribution limits: $7,000 under age 50; $8,000 for age 50 and above).
Last day to contribute to an HSA for the 2025 tax year (2025 contribution limits: $4,300 for single coverage, contributor under age 55; $5,300 for single coverage, contributor age 55 and above; $8,550 for family coverage, contributor under age 55; $9,550 for family coverage, contributor age 55 and above).
June 15: Estimated tax payments due for the second quarter of 2026.
Sept. 15: Estimated tax payments due for the third quarter of 2026.
Oct. 15: Individual tax returns due for taxpayers who received a six-month extension on their 2025 returns.
Dec. 31:
Retirees age 73 and older must take required minimum distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s; those RMDs are based on their balances at the end of 2025.
Last date to make contributions to company retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), 457) for the 2025 tax year.