2027 tax brackets, standard deduction and Social Security: every number that changes

Before credits (the child tax credit is $2,300 per child in 2027), and before the senior deduction and other deductions. Same wages both years.

Deductions and credits

• Standard deduction: single $16,100 → $16,600; married filing jointly $32,200 → $33,200; head of household $24,150 → $24,925.
• Child tax credit: up to $2,300 per child (from $2,200), with up to $1,800 refundable (from $1,700).
• Earned income tax credit: up to $8,496 with three or more qualifying children (from $8,231).
• Adoption credit: up to $18,250 of expenses (from $17,670), with up to $5,280 refundable.
• AMT exemption: $93,000 single (phase-out from $515,950), $144,700 joint (from $1,031,900).
• Health FSA: $3,500 salary reduction limit (+$100), $700 carryover. Transit and parking: $350 a month each.
• Unchanged: personal exemptions stay at $0; the Lifetime Learning Credit still phases out between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 to $180,000 joint).

Social Security and Medicare in 2027

• COLA 3.6% from January 2027 payments; SSA estimates the average retired worker gets $2,170 a month (from $2,095) and an aged couple both receiving benefits $3,355 (from $3,238).
• Wage base: Social Security tax (6.2% employee, 12.4% self-employed) applies to earnings up to $192,300 (from $184,500); Medicare tax has no limit.
• Earnings test: under full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $2 earned above $25,560 ($2,130 a month); in the year you reach full retirement age, $1 for every $3 above $67,920.
• Maximum benefit at full retirement age: $4,188 a month. A quarter of coverage takes $1,970 of earnings.
• SSI: $1,029 a month for an individual, $1,544 for a couple; resource limits stay $2,000 and $3,000.
• When to claim: Social Security claiming guide · pension offers: lump sum or monthly calculator.

Health savings, gifts and estates

• HSA (Rev. Proc. 2026-24): $4,500 self-only, $9,000 family; a high-deductible plan needs a deductible of at least $1,750 ($3,500 family) and out-of-pocket costs of no more than $8,700 ($17,400).
• Gift tax annual exclusion: $20,000 per person (from $19,000); $201,000 to a spouse who is not a US citizen.
• Estate tax exclusion: $15,480,000 for deaths in 2027 (from $15,000,000).
• Foreign earned income exclusion: $137,300 (from $132,900).
• 401(k) and IRA limits for 2027: not announced yet (2026: $24,500 and $7,500). We will add them when the IRS publishes them.
• Childcare costs: dependent care FSA or credit calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 2027 federal tax brackets?
For 2027 (returns filed in 2028), single filers pay 10% up to $12,800 of taxable income, 12% to $52,025, 22% to $109,125, 24% to $208,325, 32% to $264,550, 35% to $661,375 and 37% above. For married couples filing jointly the thresholds are $25,600, $104,050, $218,250, $416,650, $529,100 and $793,650 (IRS IR-2026-133, Rev. Proc. 2026-35).

What is the 2027 standard deduction?
Single and married filing separately $16,600 (up $500), married filing jointly $33,200 (up $1,000) and head of household $24,925 (up $775).

How much will my federal tax go down in 2027?
With the same wages, a single filer on $75,000 pays about $281 less federal income tax in 2027 ($7,670 in 2026, $7,390 in 2027, standard deduction only) and a married couple on $150,000 about $561 less. The brackets and deduction rise with inflation, so this mostly offsets price rises.

How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
Social Security benefits rise 3.6% from January 2027 payments (SSI from the December 31, 2026 payment). SSA estimates the average retired worker’s benefit goes from $2,095 to $2,170 a month. Earnings up to $192,300 are subject to Social Security tax in 2027 (from $184,500).

What are the 2027 401(k) and IRA limits?
Not yet announced at the time of writing: the IRS usually publishes them in November. For 2026 the 401(k) limit is $24,500 and the IRA limit $7,500. We will add the 2027 figures when the IRS releases them. HSA limits for 2027 are out: $4,500 self-only and $9,000 family.

Sources

• IRS IR-2026-133 (November 5, 2026) and Rev. Proc. 2026-35
• IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24 (2027 HSA limits)
• SSA: 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment fact sheet (October 14, 2026)
• IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 brackets and standard deduction)
• IRS: 2026 401(k) and IRA limits

Read on the linked pages on November 10, 2026. Federal figures only; state income tax is separate. General information, not tax advice.