Important Numbers for 2026

Each year, the IRS adjusts key tax and retirement limits for inflation. These changes can create new planning opportunities or costly mistakes if you ignore them.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most important numbers for 2026.

Retirement Plan Limits (401(k), 403(b), 457)

Employee contribution limit:

• $24,500 (up from $23,500)

Catch-up contribution (age 50+):

• $8,000 catch-up

• $32,500 total

• Includes a $500 increase from prior years

Catch-up contribution (ages 60–63):

• $11,250 catch-up

• $35,750 total

Total retirement plan limit:

• $72,000 total (employee + employer + after-tax contributions)

• Up from $70,000

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IRA Contribution Limits (Traditional & Roth)

IRA contribution limit:

• $7,500

• Catch-up (age 50+): $1,110

Roth IRA income limits (direct contributions):

• Single MAGI phaseout: $153,000 – $168,000

• Married filing jointly MAGI phaseout: $242,000 – $252,000

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Tax Brackets (2026)

• 10%: Up to $12,400 ($24,800 married filing jointly)

• 12%: Over $12,400 ($24,800 married filing jointly)

• 22%: Over $50,400 ($100,800 married filing jointly)

• 24%: Over $105,700 ($211,400 married filing jointly)

• 32%: Over $201,775 ($403,550 married filing jointly)

• 35%: Over $256,225 ($512,450 married filing jointly)

• 37%: Over $640,600 ($768,700 married filing jointly)

Standard Deduction (2026)

• Married filing jointly: $32,200

• Single: $16,100

• Head of household: $24,150

Additional standard deduction (age 65+ or blind):

• Married (each eligible spouse): $1,650

• Single / Head of household: $2,050

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Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

HSA contribution limits:

• Individual coverage: $4,400

• Family coverage: $8,750

• Catch-up (age 55+): $1,000

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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Healthcare FSA:

• $3,400 contribution limit

• $680 carryover limit

Dependent Care FSA:

• $7,500

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Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

QCD limit (age 70½+):

• $111,000 (up from $108,000)

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Estate & Gift Tax Limits

Annual gift exclusion:

• $19,000 per person, per recipient

Federal estate tax exclusion:

• $15,000,000 per person (up from $13,990,000)

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Final Thoughts

Many important updates for 2026 can create real planning opportunities not just for the year ahead, but also for your long-term financial picture. Higher contribution limits, wider tax brackets, and increased deductions can all work in your favor if you have a plan to use them properly.

Knowing the numbers is helpful. Optimizing them is where the real value comes in.

If you’d like the full two-page cheat sheet of important 2026 numbers, including planning tips on how they fit together, click here to download it.

-Steve Balch, CFP®

Financial Advisor in Bergen County, NJ

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