2026 Retirement Tax-Bracket Planner
Estimate how much additional ordinary income or a Roth conversion could fit through a selected 2026 federal bracket.
This simplified federal estimate uses the 2026 standard deduction and ordinary-income brackets. It assumes no itemized deductions, credits, preferential-rate income, additional deductions, or state tax.
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Room between estimated taxable ordinary income and the top of the selected 2026 bracket.
- Standard deduction used
- $16,100.00
- Taxable income before addition
- $13,900.00
- Estimated added federal tax
- $4,380.00
Capital gains and qualified dividends can interact with ordinary income. Marketplace savings, Social Security taxation, Medicare surcharges, credits, and state taxes can change the decision.
How the calculation works
Estimated taxable ordinary income = other ordinary income minus the 2026 standard deduction, with a minimum of zero. Bracket room = selected bracket top minus estimated taxable ordinary income.
This simplified federal estimate excludes itemized deductions, credits, qualified dividends, capital gains, Social Security taxation, ACA effects, Medicare surcharges, alternative minimum tax, and state tax.
2026 Retirement Tax-Bracket Planner FAQs
What does tax-bracket room mean?
It is the difference between estimated taxable ordinary income and the top of a selected marginal bracket. It is not the amount of tax due and does not mean every added dollar receives one rate.
Does a Roth conversion count as ordinary income?
The IRS generally requires the taxable portion converted from a pre-tax retirement account to be included in gross income for the conversion year. Basis and after-tax amounts can change the taxable portion.
Does the planner include the standard deduction?
Yes. It uses the 2026 standard deduction of $16,100 for single or married filing separately and $32,200 for married filing jointly.
Does the planner include capital gains?
No. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividends use separate rate thresholds but stack with ordinary taxable income. Model them before deciding how much additional ordinary income to create.
Can filling a bracket reduce an ACA premium tax credit?
It can. A conversion or distribution may raise household income used for Marketplace savings. The tax-bracket result does not calculate that effect.
Is the estimated added tax my final tax bill?
No. It applies the 2026 ordinary brackets to a simplified scenario. Credits, deductions, capital gains, Social Security, other taxes, withholding, and state rules can change the return.