2020 Federal Tax Brackets
The official IRS tax brackets for tax year 2020, frozen as filed — for amended returns, back taxes and research. 7 rates from 10% to 37%; standard deduction $12,400 single / $24,800 joint.
In 2020, federal income tax rates were 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. The top rate applied above $518,400 (single).
- Rates10% · 12% · 22% · 24% · 32% · 35% · 37%
- Std. deduction (single / joint)$12,400 / $24,800
- Personal exemption$0
- SourceIRS Rev. Proc. 2019-44
Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2019-44.
Enter taxable income (after deductions). Ordinary-income brackets only — capital gains, credits, AMT and phase-outs are separate.
2020 brackets — all filing statuses
Single
| Rate | 2020 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $9,875 |
| 12% | $9,876 – $40,125 |
| 22% | $40,126 – $85,525 |
| 24% | $85,526 – $163,300 |
| 32% | $163,301 – $207,350 |
| 35% | $207,351 – $518,400 |
| 37% | $518,401 and up |
Married filing jointly
| Rate | 2020 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $19,750 |
| 12% | $19,751 – $80,250 |
| 22% | $80,251 – $171,050 |
| 24% | $171,051 – $326,600 |
| 32% | $326,601 – $414,700 |
| 35% | $414,701 – $622,050 |
| 37% | $622,051 and up |
Head of household
| Rate | 2020 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $14,100 |
| 12% | $14,101 – $53,700 |
| 22% | $53,701 – $85,500 |
| 24% | $85,501 – $163,300 |
| 32% | $163,301 – $207,350 |
| 35% | $207,351 – $518,400 |
| 37% | $518,401 and up |
Married filing separately
| Rate | 2020 taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $9,875 |
| 12% | $9,876 – $40,125 |
| 22% | $40,126 – $85,525 |
| 24% | $85,526 – $163,300 |
| 32% | $163,301 – $207,350 |
| 35% | $207,351 – $311,025 |
| 37% | $311,026 and up |
Standard deduction & exemption
| Filing status | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $12,400 |
| Married filing jointly | $24,800 |
| Head of household | $18,650 |
| Married filing separately | $12,400 |
Personal exemption: $0 (eliminated 2018, made permanent 2025).
The 2020 brackets in today’s dollars
Adjusted with the CPI-U (2020 annual average → May 2026), a factor of ×1.29. Useful for comparing bracket creep across eras.
| Single-filer threshold | 2020 dollars | Today’s dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 12% bracket started at | $9,876 | ≈ $12,800 |
| 22% bracket started at | $40,126 | ≈ $52,000 |
| 24% bracket started at | $85,526 | ≈ $110,700 |
| 32% bracket started at | $163,301 | ≈ $211,500 |
| 35% bracket started at | $207,351 | ≈ $268,500 |
| 37% bracket started at | $518,401 | ≈ $671,300 |
← 2019 bracketsAll years2021 brackets →
Frequently asked questions
What were the federal tax brackets in 2020?
There were 7 rates in 2020: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. For single filers the top 37% rate applied to taxable income over $518,400.
What was the standard deduction in 2020?
$12,400 for single filers, $24,800 married filing jointly, $18,650 head of household (the personal exemption is $0).
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 2020 brackets now?
Filing or amending a 2020 return, negotiating back taxes for that year, checking an audit figure, or research. Brackets never change retroactively once the year closes.
Sources & methodology
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2019-44 · 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.