Yesterday, the IRS released the 2026 income tax brackets along with other inflation adjustments that will apply when Americans file taxes in early 2027. While the headlines focus on bigger standard deductions and new thresholds for each rate, here’s the catch: many people still misunderstand how marginal tax rates actually work. That’s why this week’s episode of FinCap Friday breaks it all down:

You can click here to access the Kahoot quiz and discussion prompt. If you're short on time, try our simplified No Tech version containing embedded questions right in the slide deck!

About the Author

Yanely Espinal

Born and raised by Dominican, immigrant parents in Brooklyn, Yanely is a proud product of NYC public schools. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in 2007 before going on to receive her bachelor's degree at Brown University in 2011. As a Teach For America corps member, Yanely taught third and fourth grade in Canarsie, Brooklyn. She received her master's degree from Relay Graduate School of Education in 2013. She spends her spare time making YouTube videos about personal finance on her channel, MissBeHelpful. Yanely also loves to dance, sew, paint, listen to podcasts, and babysit her 10 nieces and nephews!