Map Your 2025-26 Brackets
Run a two-year projection to spot how much income still fits below today’s lower brackets and the new $200 K / $150 K surtax line.
Call David: 423-617-0160
Skip the 1,200-page bill. Our guides highlight the key updates and common planning considerations for business owners, professionals, and near-retirees.
Low Brackets Hold to 2029
The familiar
10 %–24 % brackets stick around four more years. Every salary dollar, bonus, or Roth-conversion slice you accelerate into 2025-29 lands in cheaper territory—saving roughly 3-5 % per dollar.
Bigger Standard Deduction
The baseline write-off jumps to
$15,750 single / $31,500 joint (indexed). More filers can take one simple deduction and skip itemizing—automatic tax relief with zero paperwork.
Investment Surtax Hits Sooner
The 3.8 % NIIT now starts at
$200 K AGI (joint) / $150 K (single). Dividends, rental cash-flow, and fund sales can cross the new line faster—strategy matters.
100 % Write-Offs Are Back
Equipment, vehicle, and rental upgrades placed in service
before 2030 qualify for full bonus depreciation—one-year expensing that can wipe out six-figure profits.
Change | What it means | Tax effect |
---|---|---|
Brackets stay 10 % – 24 % through 2029 | Four more “sale-price” years for Roth conversions & income shifts. | ▼ Keeps tax lower |
Bigger standard deduction | Now $15,750 S / $31,500 J (indexed) — up $2,300 for joint filers. | ▼ Lowers taxable income |
SALT cap rises to $40 K | High-tax-state filers may itemize again and beat the new standard deduction. | ▼ Extra deduction |
3.8 % NIIT threshold drops | Surtax now hits at $200 K / $150 K AGI. | ▲ Raises tax for some |
100 % bonus depreciation returns | Gear, vehicles & rentals placed before 2030 can be expensed in one year. | ▼ Immediate write-off |
Child-Tax Credit bumps to $2,200 | Plus full inflation indexing—up $200 per child. | ▼ Bigger family refund |
HSA contribution limits increase | More dollars can grow triple-tax-free. Up $250 for joint filers. | ▼ Triple-tax win |
Scaling a Business, Falling Behind on Planning
≈ $150k – $600k pass-through profit • QBI ceiling plays. • Bonus-depreciation moves
High Pay, No Tax Plan
≈ $250k – $600k household income. • NIIT shield tactics. • Mega-back-door options
Retirement Is Closer - and Riskier - Than You Thought
≈ $125k – $350k taxable income. • Bracket timing. • Roth-conversion runway
Not seeing yourself here?
Download the 2-Minute Summary Guide instead.
Run a two-year projection to spot how much income still fits below today’s lower brackets and the new $200 K / $150 K surtax line.
Max your 401(k), HSA, and charitable “bunching” before chasing advanced tactics.
Pick the 2–3 tactics (bonus depreciation, Roth slice, gain timing) and schedule them now so they happen.
Book a 15-minute Explore Call to see whether deeper planning makes sense for you.
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Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer member
FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered. Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Talley Financial are not affiliated.
Cambridge
form CRS.
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