United States (US)
The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
2026 Annual Changes — United States
Updated thresholds, benefits, and regulatory changes effective this year.
US 2026 key updates: the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, permanently extended TCJA individual tax provisions — no sunset occurred. Federal income tax brackets: 10/12/22/24/32/35/37% rates made permanent with updated inflation-indexed thresholds. Standard deduction: $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (MFJ). Estate exemption raised to $15M (permanent). Social Security wage base $184,500. 401(k) limit $24,500. FEIE $132,900. Medicare Part B $202.90/month.
Key Changes for 2026
| Category | 2026 Value | Previous | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCJA Extension — One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act individual provisions were permanently extended by the OBBBA, signed into law July 4, 2025 — the sunset did NOT occur | TCJA individual provisions made permanent: lower tax rates (10/12/22/24/32/35/37%), higher standard deduction, $10,000 SALT cap, 20% Section 199A pass-through deduction, doubled estate tax exemption. No further sunset risk. | TCJA was scheduled to expire December 31, 2025 — this sunset was permanently eliminated. | 4 July 2025 (OBBBA signed; permanent from January 1, 2026) |
| Federal Income Tax Brackets Seven-rate structure made permanent by OBBBA; thresholds inflation-indexed for 2026 | Single filer: 10% ≤$12,400; 12% $12,401–$50,400; 22% $50,401–$105,700; 24% $105,701–$201,775; 32% $201,776–$256,225; 35% $256,226–$640,600; 37% >$640,600. MFJ: 10% ≤$24,800; 12% $24,801–$100,800; 22% $100,801–$211,400; 24% $211,401–$403,550; 32% $403,551–$512,450; 35% $512,451–$768,700; 37% >$768,700. | 2025 thresholds (2026 thresholds approximately 2.8% higher) | 1 January 2026 |
| Standard Deduction Standard deduction increased for 2026 (per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) | $16,100 (single). $32,200 (married filing jointly). $24,150 (head of household). | $15,000 (single) / $30,000 (MFJ) — 2025 | 1 January 2026 |
| Social Security Wage Base SS taxable maximum earnings ceiling raised for 2026 | $184,500 (up from $176,100 in 2025). SS tax (6.2% employee + 6.2% employer) applies on earnings up to this ceiling. | $176,100 (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Social Security COLA Cost of living adjustment for SS benefits effective January 2026 | +2.7% COLA applied to all SS retirement, disability, and SSI benefits from January 2026. | +2.5% (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| 401(k) Contribution Limit Elective deferral limit increased for 2026 (IRS Notice 2025-67) | $24,500 elective deferral limit. Age 50+ catch-up: $8,000 (total $32,500). Age 60–63 enhanced catch-up (SECURE 2.0): $11,250 (total $35,750). | $23,500 (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| IRA Contribution Limit Traditional and Roth IRA contribution limit increased | $7,500 (up from $7,000 in 2025). Age 50+ catch-up: $1,100 additional (total $8,600). | $7,000 (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| HSA Contribution Limits Health Savings Account contribution limits raised (IRS Notice 2026-05) | Self-only coverage: $4,400. Family coverage: $8,750. Age 55+ additional catch-up: $1,000. | $4,300 individual / $8,550 family (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| FSA Contribution Limit Health Care Flexible Spending Account limit adjusted | $3,350 annual limit. Maximum rollover: $670. | $3,300 / $660 rollover (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Estate Tax Exemption OBBBA permanently raised and indexed the federal estate/gift/GST exemption | $15,000,000 per person ($30,000,000 per married couple). Indexed for inflation going forward. The pre-OBBBA sunset to approximately $7M per person never occurred. | $13.99M (2025); scheduled to drop to ~$7M on December 31, 2025 — sunset eliminated by OBBBA. | 1 January 2026 (OBBBA permanent) |
| Gift Tax Annual Exclusion Annual gift exclusion per recipient unchanged | $19,000 per recipient (unchanged from 2025; no inflation increment triggered) | $19,000 (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Medicare Part B Premium Standard Part B monthly premium increased for 2026 (CMS announcement) | $202.90/month standard premium. Annual Part B deductible: $283. | $185.00/month (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Medicare Part D Part D prescription drug coverage; $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap from 2025 (IRA reform) continues | $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for Part D beneficiaries (in force from January 2025). Verify with your plan for 2026 premium. | $2,000 cap introduced 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act. | 1 January 2026 |
| Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) FEIE inflation-indexed for 2026 (Form 2555) | $132,900 per qualifying person (up from $130,000 in 2025). Foreign Housing Exclusion threshold and limit also indexed upward proportionally. | $130,000 (2025) | 1 January 2026 (for 2026 tax year filing) |
| Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) EITC income limits and maximum credit adjusted | Maximum credit with 3+ qualifying children: approximately $8,000. Income limits and phase-out thresholds indexed upward. Confirm exact figures from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. | Max $7,830 with 3+ children (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Child Tax Credit Child Tax Credit permanently maintained at $2,000/child under OBBBA | $2,000 per qualifying child under 17. Refundable portion (Additional CTC): up to $1,700. Income phase-out: begins at $400,000 MFJ / $200,000 single. | $2,000 (same; OBBBA made permanent — no sunset risk) | 1 January 2026 |
| Federal Minimum Wage Federal minimum wage unchanged since 2009; many states and cities significantly higher | $7.25/hour (federal floor — unchanged since July 2009). State minimums substantially higher in most states: California $17.00+, New York $16.50+, Washington $17.10+, DC $17.50+, Colorado $15.00+. | $7.25/hour (unchanged since 2009) | 1 January 2026 |
| USCIS Form Fees USCIS fees set in April 2024 fee rule; no major changes for 2026 | N-400 (naturalization): $760. I-130 (petition for relative): $675. I-485 (adjustment of status): $1,440. H-1B registration fee: $215 (March cycle). Check uscis.gov for current fees before filing. | Same fees (set in April 2024 rule) | 1 January 2026 |
| Mortgage Conforming Loan Limit Conforming loan limit (Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac baseline) | $806,500 baseline (unchanged from 2025). High-cost area limits may be higher — check FHFA for your county. | $806,500 (2025) | 1 January 2026 |
| Retirement: SECURE 2.0 Act Provisions Various SECURE 2.0 provisions continuing to phase in through 2026 | Key 2026 provisions: (1) Student loan matching contributions now allowed in employer retirement plans. (2) Emergency savings accounts linked to 401(k) plans available at employers who opt in. (3) SIMPLE IRA contribution limits further increased. | SECURE 2.0 enacted December 2022; phased implementation through 2027. | 1 January 2026 |
| SALT Deduction Cap State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap permanently maintained at $10,000 under OBBBA | $10,000 cap on itemized deduction for state and local taxes (income or sales tax + property taxes). Cap applies per return regardless of filing status. Permanently extended — no sunset. | $10,000 (same; OBBBA made permanent) | 1 January 2026 |
| Passport Fees US passport fees unchanged | Passport book: $130 (adult renewal) / $165 (new adult book). Execution fee: $35. Passport card: $30 (renewal) / $35 (new). Expedited: additional $60. | $130 + $35 execution (unchanged) | 1 January 2026 |
January Checklist
Actions to take each January when new rates take effect.
- 1
Review W-4 withholding — adjust for 2026 brackets, updated standard deduction ($16,100 single/$32,200 MFJ), or life changes.
- 2
Max IRA contribution early — $7,500 limit for 2026 (or $8,600 age 50+); traditional IRA deadline April 15, 2027.
- 3
Update 401(k) contribution percentage for new $24,500 limit (or $32,500 age 50+; $35,750 age 60–63).
- 4
Note TCJA provisions are now permanently extended — estate planning based on ~$7M sunset threshold is obsolete; update estate plans for $15M exemption.
- 5
Check Social Security benefit statement at ssa.gov — 2.7% COLA increased benefits from January 2026.
- 6
Note Medicare Part B premium rose to $202.90/month (up from $185.00).
- 7
US citizens abroad: FEIE limit is $132,900 for 2026; file Form 2555. FBAR deadline April 15; automatic extension to October 15.
- 8
Sign up for myIRS online account at irs.gov if not already done — simplifies transcript access and payment plans.
- 9
Review beneficiaries on retirement accounts after any 2025 life changes.
- 10
Note ACA Open Enrollment closed January 15 — Special Enrollment Period available for qualifying life events.
- 11
File prior-year 2025 taxes by April 15, 2026 (or June 15 for US citizens abroad; October 15 with extension).
Where to Track Annual Changes
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irs.gov — tax brackets, standard deduction, contribution limits, FEIE (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
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ssa.gov — Social Security wage base, COLA, benefits
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cms.gov — Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles
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uscis.gov — immigration form fees, H-1B registration
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healthcare.gov — ACA open enrollment, marketplace plans
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dol.gov — federal minimum wage, ERISA retirement plan rules
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fhfa.gov — conforming loan limits by county
-
Your state Department of Revenue — state-specific tax rates and minimum wages
The most significant change for 2026 US tax planning is the OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, July 4, 2025), which permanently extended TCJA individual provisions and raised the estate/gift exemption to $15M. Any guide or advisor still referencing a December 2025 TCJA sunset is providing outdated information. Key verified corrections from prior estimates: standard deduction $16,100/$32,200 (not $15,750/$31,500); SS wage base $184,500 (not $176,100); 401(k) limit $24,500 (not $24,000); FEIE $132,900 (not $130,000); estate exemption $15M (not $14M); Medicare Part B $202.90/month (not $186).
Annual Changes
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