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2025 Tax Brackets and Other Federal and State Tax Changes

Greetings and Happy New Year! Here are some of the major Federal and State income and estate tax changes for 2025. For more information, download our 2025 Financial Guide


Federal Income Tax Brackets


Federal Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rates


Rise in Standard Deduction

For married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction increases to $30,000, up $800 from tax year 2024. For heads of households, it is $22,500 for tax year 2025, up $600 from tax year 2024. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately for tax year 2025, the standard deduction increases to $15,000 for 2025, up $400 from 2024.

Retirement Plan Changes for 2025

The annual contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is increased to $23,500, up from $23,000. The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains $7,000. The IRA catch‑up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over was amended under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) to include an annual cost‑of‑living adjustment but remains $1,000 for 2025.

The catch-up contribution limit that generally applies for employees aged 50 and over who participate in most 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains $7,500 for 2025. Therefore, participants in most 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan who are 50 and older generally can contribute up to $31,000 each year, starting in 2025. Under a change made in SECURE 2.0, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who participate in these plans. For 2025, this higher catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500.

The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to contribute to Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit all increased for 2025. For Roth IRA contributions in 2025, the income phase-out range for taxpayers increases to between $150,000 and $165,000 for singles and heads of household, up from between $146,000 and $161,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range rises to between $236,000 and $246,000, up from between $230,000 and $240,000.

Estate Planning Changes for 2025

Estate tax credits. Estates of decedents who die during 2025 have a basic exclusion amount of $13,990,000, increased from $13,610,000 for estates of decedents who died in 2024.

 Annual exclusion for gifts increases to $19,000 for calendar year 2025, rising from $18,000 for calendar year 2024.

State Tax Changes

Thirty-nine states will begin 2025 with notable tax changes. To read more click here: Tax Foundation - State Tax Changes Taking Effect January 1, 2025. 

What’s not changing?

The personal exemptions remain at $0 for tax year 2025. The elimination of the personal exemption was part of the TCJA. The maximum child tax credit is $2,000 per qualifying child, with a refundable amount of $1,700.

With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of 2025, more changes could be coming! 

Michael Aloi, CFP