Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rate: What's the Difference?
Your marginal rate is your top bracket; your effective rate is what you actually pay overall. Confusing them leads to bad money decisions.
Two very different numbers
Your marginal tax rate is the rate on your next dollar of income — your highest bracket. Your effective tax rate is your total tax divided by your total income — the average rate across everything you earned. Because the system is progressive, your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate.
Example: a single filer with $85,000 of taxable income is in the 22% marginal bracket, but their effective federal rate is closer to 14–15%, because the first tens of thousands of dollars are taxed at 10% and 12%. Check both for your income with the income tax calculator.
Why the difference matters
People sometimes turn down a raise or a bonus fearing it will "bump them into a higher bracket" and cost them money. That can't happen: only the income above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate, so a raise always leaves you with more after-tax money.
The distinction also matters for decisions like Roth vs. traditional retirement contributions, where you compare your marginal rate today against your expected marginal rate in retirement. For comparing overall tax burden year to year, the effective rate is the honest number.
Run your numbers
Try the 2026 Income Tax Calculator (Federal + FICA) to see how this applies to your own situation.
Open the 2026 Income Tax Calculator (Federal + FICA) →Frequently asked questions
What is my marginal tax rate?
Will a raise push all my income into a higher tax bracket?
Informational only — not financial or tax advice. This article is general educational information and may not reflect current figures or your individual situation. Tax and financial rules change; verify with the IRS or a qualified professional before acting.