13 Jan DO YOU KNOW YOUR TAX BRACKET?
Although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) generally reduced individual tax rates through 2025, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive a refund or lower tax bill. Some taxpayers have actually seen their taxes go up because of reductions or eliminations of certain tax breaks. For this reason, it’s important to know your bracket.

Some single and head of household filers could be pushed into higher tax brackets more quickly than was the case pre-TCJA. For example, the beginning of the 32% bracket for singles for 2019 is $160,725, whereas it was $191,651 for 2017 (though the rate was 33% then). For heads of households, the beginning of this bracket has decreased even more significantly, to $160,700 for 2019 from $212,501 for 2017.
Married taxpayers, on the other hand, won’t be pushed into some middle brackets until much higher income levels through 2025. For example, the beginning of the 32% bracket for joint filers for 2019 is $321,450, whereas it was $233,351 for 2017. (Again, the rate was 33% then.)
As before the TCJA, the tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation. Because there are so many variables under the law, it’s hard to say exactly how a specific taxpayer’s bracket might change from year to year. Contact us for help assessing what your tax rate likely will be for 2020 — and for help filing your 2019 tax return.
© 2019
If any topics covered in this newsletter raise questions or if there are other accounting or tax matters on your mind, Gates Kirby & Company is always happy to provide guidance tailored to your unique situation. Our team genuinely enjoys helping clients navigate these topics with confidence. We look forward to connecting with you soon.
- Gates, Kirby & Company.
Tax laws, regulations, and interpretations can change without notice. Due to changing tax laws the content may be considered historical. Newsletter articles provide no guarantee information are complete, accurate, or current. Readers should verify applicable rules by consulting official sources (e.g., IRS, Colorado Department of Revenue) and/or consult with Gates Kirby to review how the content in the article content may be applicable to your tax situation.