America’s tax brackets are changing thanks to inflation.
That will be welcome news for many people whose salaries haven’t been keeping up with the highest price increases in four decades that have come in 2022.
Tax brackets move alongside the inflation rate, meaning the amount of tax you pay on your income gradually shifts in normal times. But the persistently high inflation consumers have been facing this year is anything but normal, so the tax brackets are moving up to offset that. The good news is, if your wages haven’t risen enough, you’ll likely fall into a lower tax bracket in 2023.
Here’s how that translates in dollar amounts
The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for the 2023 tax year rises to $27,700, up $1,800 from the prior year. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $13,850, up $900; and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $20,800, up $1,400.
Meanwhile, the 22% tax bracket in 2023 will apply to married couples filing jointly with incomes over $89,450 and individuals with incomes over $44,725. That compares with this year’s respective $83,550 and $41,775 thresholds for the 22% rate.
- The 24% rate will apply to married couples filing jointly with incomes over $190,750, or individuals with incomes over $95,375.
- The 32% rate will go to married couples filing jointly with incomes over $364,200, or individuals with incomes over $182,100.
- And the 35% rate will apply to married couples filing jointly with incomes over $462,500, or individuals making more than $231,250.
And the top rate, 37%, will apply to married couples filing jointly with incomes over $693,750, or individuals making over $578,125.
The earned income tax credit, which benefits lower-income workers, will rise by nearly 7%, from $6,935 for the 2022 tax year to $7,430 in 2023. And the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for next year will be $81,200 ($126,500 for married couples filing jointly), an increase from $75,900 for individuals and $118,100 for married couples filing jointly for the 2022 tax year.
The announcement of the tax-bracket shifts comes a week after the Social Security Administration
