2011 Federal Tax Brackets
The official IRS tax brackets for tax year 2011, frozen as filed — for amended returns, back taxes and research. 6 rates from 10% to 35%; standard deduction $5,800 single / $11,600 joint.
In 2011, federal income tax rates were 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%. The top rate applied above $379,150 (single).
- Rates10% · 15% · 25% · 28% · 33% · 35%
- Std. deduction (single / joint)$5,800 / $11,600
- Personal exemption$3,700
- SourceTax Foundation historical dataset
Source: Tax Foundation historical dataset.
Enter taxable income (after deductions). Ordinary-income brackets only — capital gains, credits, AMT and phase-outs are separate.
2011 brackets — all filing statuses
Single
| Rate | 2011 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $8,500 |
| 15% | $8,501 – $34,500 |
| 25% | $34,501 – $83,600 |
| 28% | $83,601 – $174,400 |
| 33% | $174,401 – $379,150 |
| 35% | $379,151 and up |
Married filing jointly
| Rate | 2011 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $17,000 |
| 15% | $17,001 – $69,000 |
| 25% | $69,001 – $139,350 |
| 28% | $139,351 – $212,300 |
| 33% | $212,301 – $379,150 |
| 35% | $379,151 and up |
Head of household
| Rate | 2011 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,150 |
| 15% | $12,151 – $46,250 |
| 25% | $46,251 – $119,400 |
| 28% | $119,401 – $193,350 |
| 33% | $193,351 – $379,150 |
| 35% | $379,151 and up |
Married filing separately
| Rate | 2011 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $8,500 |
| 15% | $8,501 – $34,500 |
| 25% | $34,501 – $69,675 |
| 28% | $69,676 – $106,150 |
| 33% | $106,151 – $189,575 |
| 35% | $189,576 and up |
Standard deduction & exemption
| Filing status | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $5,800 |
| Married filing jointly | $11,600 |
| Head of household | $8,500 |
| Married filing separately | $5,800 |
Personal exemption: $3,700 per person.
The 2011 brackets in today’s dollars
Adjusted with the CPI-U (2011 annual average → May 2026), a factor of ×1.49. Useful for comparing bracket creep across eras.
| Single-filer threshold | 2011 dollars | Today’s dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 15% bracket started at | $8,501 | ≈ $12,700 |
| 25% bracket started at | $34,501 | ≈ $51,400 |
| 28% bracket started at | $83,601 | ≈ $124,600 |
| 33% bracket started at | $174,401 | ≈ $259,800 |
| 35% bracket started at | $379,151 | ≈ $564,900 |
← 2010 bracketsAll years2012 brackets →
Frequently asked questions
What were the federal tax brackets in 2011?
There were 6 rates in 2011: 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%. For single filers the top 35% rate applied to taxable income over $379,150.
What was the standard deduction in 2011?
$5,800 for single filers, $11,600 married filing jointly, $8,500 head of household; the personal exemption was $3,700.
Marginal vs. effective rate — what's the difference?
Your marginal rate is the tax on your last dollar (your bracket). Your effective rate is total tax divided by taxable income — always lower, because earlier dollars fill the lower brackets first. The calculator above shows both.
Why would I need 2011 brackets now?
Filing or amending a 2011 return, negotiating back taxes for that year, checking an audit figure, or research. Brackets never change retroactively once the year closes.
Sources & methodology
Sources: Tax Foundation historical dataset · All years: Tax Foundation historical brackets.
Figures transcribed from the primary source listed and cross-checked against the Tax Foundation and Tax Policy Center datasets. Not tax advice.