11/01/2022
Inflation leading to higher tax brackets
Inflation has been making every area of our lives more expensive as the costs of the goods and services we use every day have skyrocketed. The Federal Reserve is attempting to lower inflation by using the bluntest tool in its arsenal – raising the key short-term interest rate.
This has meant that as prices have continued to increase, they are being followed by higher costs for debt. If you're carrying a credit card balance, you've likely noticed the difference. And hopefully, you have a fixed-rate mortgage.
But there may be a small silver lining. The IRS pegs tax brackets, tax deductions, 401(k), and other tax-efficient vehicle contribution amounts to inflation. A careful review of your financial picture, combined with some proactive tax planning, may save you money and set you up for increased savings growth in the years to come.
Tax Brackets Are Moving North
Tax brackets are increased due to inflation to ensure that tax brackets reflect people's real income. Inflation means credits, deductions, and exemptions are worth less, which translates to an increase in taxes paid. Raising the amount of the income range in each bracket shelters more income from higher rates.
The amount of the increase is usually so small that it doesn’t affect most people’s tax brackets, but this year the brackets jumped a lot.
10%: $1-11,000 for singles and $0-$22,000 for couples
12%: $11,001-$44,725 for singles and $22,001-$89,450 for couples
22%: $44,726-$95,375 for singles and $89,451-$190,750 for couples
24%: $95,376- $182,100 for singles and at $190,751-$364,200 for couples
32%: $182,101-$231,250 for singles, and $364,201- $462,500 for couples
There are also other impacts to Standard Deduction and Social Security. Click the link in comments for the full article.