The IRS released the official 2027 federal income-tax brackets and standard deduction on November 5, 2026. These amounts generally apply to 2027 income reported on tax returns filed in 2028. The IRS has also published 2027 HSA limits, and SSA announced the 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027. As of November 7, IRS retirement-plan contribution limits and complete Medicare Part B and IRMAA tables for 2027 still await separate releases.
The important distinction is now official vs. still pending. You can use published 2027 federal tax brackets for next-year planning, while keeping unannounced retirement and Medicare figures separate. Tax brackets apply to taxable income, not gross salary or adjusted gross income.
What’s official for 2027, and what is still moving
The IRS has released official 2027 tax brackets, standard deductions and several other tax limits. HSA figures, the 3.6% Social Security COLA and key Medicare Part D amounts are also official. Retirement contribution limits and full Medicare Part B/IRMAA tables remain on the release watch.
Retired financial planner
Official 2027 federal income-tax brackets and standard deduction
The IRS published the 2027 thresholds November 5, 2026. These are official federal marginal income-tax brackets, not projections. Only the part of your taxable income above a threshold enters the next bracket; moving up one bracket does not make all your income taxable at that higher rate.
2027 standard deduction: $16,600 single or $16,600 married filing separately, $33,200 married filing jointly, and $24,925 head of household. Separate eligibility requirements apply to additional deductions for age 65 or older, blindness and certain other situations.
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household | Married filing separately |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,800 | $0 to $25,600 | $0 to $18,250 | $0 to $12,800 |
| 12% | Over $12,800 to $52,025 | Over $25,600 to $104,050 | Over $18,250 to $69,650 | Over $12,800 to $52,025 |
| 22% | Over $52,025 to $109,125 | Over $104,050 to $218,250 | Over $69,650 to $109,100 | Over $52,025 to $109,125 |
| 24% | Over $109,125 to $208,325 | Over $218,250 to $416,650 | Over $109,100 to $208,300 | Over $109,125 to $208,325 |
| 32% | Over $208,325 to $264,550 | Over $416,650 to $529,100 | Over $208,300 to $264,550 | Over $208,325 to $264,550 |
| 35% | Over $264,550 to $661,375 | Over $529,100 to $793,650 | Over $264,550 to $661,350 | Over $264,550 to $396,825 |
| 37% | Over $661,375 | Over $793,650 | Over $661,350 | Over $396,825 |
Other official IRS numbers for 2027: The 0% long-term capital-gains threshold reaches taxable income of $51,050 for single filers and $102,100 for joint filers. The maximum Child Tax Credit is $2,300 per eligible qualifying child (income and other eligibility rules apply). The federal estate-tax basic exclusion is $15,480,000 per decedent, and the annual gift-tax exclusion is $20,000 per donor/recipient, and the health FSA employee salary-reduction cap is $3,500, with up to $700 carryover when permitted by the plan.
Primary sources: IRS November 5, 2026 release · Revenue Procedure 2026-35.
Other 2027 numbers already official
Along with the published tax numbers above, three important releases are confirmed: HSA contribution limits, the Part D covered-drug out-of-pocket cap and Social Security’s 2027 COLA. Check whether each amount is a contribution limit, spending cap or benefit adjustment.
2027 HSA contribution limits
$4,500 self / $9,000 family2026: $4,400 self / $8,750 family.
What it changes: Set a 2027 HSA payroll election if you remain eligible. Medicare enrollment generally stops new HSA contributions, even if you keep money already in the account.
2027 Part D covered-drug cap
$2,4002026: $2,100. The cap is $300 higher; that does not mean everyone pays $300 more.
What it changes: Compare your prescriptions, plan formulary, pharmacies, premium and likely annual total. The cap applies to covered Part D drugs.
2027 Social Security COLA
3.6%What it changes: Benefits payable in January 2027 rise 3.6% before any Medicare deductions. For a $2,000 monthly gross benefit, that is about $72 more per month. SSA also set the 2027 earnings-test limits at $25,560 before full retirement age and $67,920 for the year you reach full retirement age (only earnings before the month of reaching full retirement age count).
Other official SSA limits for 2027: Social Security taxable wage base $192,300; one work credit requires $1,970 in covered earnings (maximum four credits per year); federal SSI payment standards $1,029 per month for an individual and $1,544 for a couple, before eligibility adjustments.
Disability figures: substantial gainful activity is $1,770 per month for non-blind individuals or $2,950 for statutorily blind individuals; the trial-work-period threshold is $1,270.
Which 2027 financial limits are still pending?
These remaining amounts require separate agency releases; the November 5 IRS tax-bracket announcement did not establish the annual retirement-plan contribution limits or CMS Medicare Part B/IRMAA premiums.
401(k), IRA, catch-up and QCD limits
Official 2027 limits pendingWhy watch: Change next year’s payroll election, IRA contribution plan or charitable IRA transfer only after the IRS publishes the applicable limit.
Part B premium and the full IRMAA tiers
Official 2027 premium table pendingWhy watch: Medicare normally determines 2027 IRMAA using 2025 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). Compare 2025 income with the published 2027 thresholds when CMS releases them. IRMAA applies per beneficiary, and Part D surcharges are added to the plan premium.
Follow CMS fact sheets · See the 2026 staircase · Roth conversion room before IRMAA
Which income year affects which Medicare year?
IRMAA normally looks back two tax years. Keep the income year separate from the premium year when you use a calculator or decide how much to convert.
What should you do with these numbers?
Use official 2027 brackets and deductions for next-year federal tax estimates, but do not substitute them for 2026 filing or contribution limits. For Roth conversions, check other income-based provisions and Medicare’s two-year lookback, not just the marginal bracket. Wait for separate IRS and CMS releases before setting exact 2027 401(k)/IRA contributions or Medicare Part B/IRMAA budgets. If income fell after a qualifying life-changing event, SSA explains when a new IRMAA determination may apply.
Get the number—and what it means—when it lands
Join the newsletter for plain-English updates when the remaining 2027 retirement and Medicare limits become official. The new tax brackets are already included above, and this page stays open to everyone.
2027 tax brackets and financial limits: quick answers
Are the 2027 tax brackets official yet?
Yes. The IRS released official 2027 federal income-tax brackets and standard deductions on November 5, 2026. The table above uses IRS figures, not projections. Tax year 2027 returns are generally filed in 2028. IRS tax-rate tables.
What is the 2027 HSA contribution limit?
The IRS set $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for eligible HSA contributors. Eligibility, including Medicare enrollment, still matters.
What is the 2027 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap?
Medicare lists $2,400 for covered Part D drugs in 2027. Premiums, uncovered drugs and plan details are separate.
Have the 2027 IRMAA brackets been released?
Not as of November 7, 2026. The full 2027 Medicare Part B premium and Part B/Part D IRMAA tables still need the separate CMS announcement. Do not use 2026 premium dollar amounts as if they were the 2027 rates.
Are the 2027 401(k) and IRA limits official?
Not as of November 7, 2026. The IRS November 5 tax-bracket release does not set the separately published retirement contribution limits. Use 2026 limits for 2026 decisions and verify the IRS retirement-plan release before setting 2027 amounts.
What is the official 2027 Social Security COLA?
SSA announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026. The increase applies to January 2027 Social Security benefits; SSI’s January 2027 benefit is typically paid December 31, 2026. Net deposits also depend on Medicare and other deductions. Official SSA fact sheet.
Updated November 7, 2026: The 2027 IRS tax figures come from the November 5 news release and Revenue Procedure 2026-35. SSA COLA, IRS HSA and Medicare Part D amounts retain their own official sources. Other pending items will change only after the responsible agency announces them. For current-year planning, use the 2026 key financial numbers.