# 7 new tax brackets proposed for high earners

> A policy proposal would double federal tax brackets to 14, adding seven new rates for the wealthiest Americans.
- Title: 7 new tax brackets proposed for high earners · Kiplinger
- Summary: A policy proposal would double federal tax brackets to 14, adding seven new rates for the wealthiest Americans. A Roosevelt Institute proposal suggests…
- Keywords: tax brackets, roosevelt institute, samarth gupta, federal income tax, high earners, income inequality, tax policy, marginal tax rate, irs, national debt, tax reform, tax
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/taxes/seven-new-tax-brackets-proposed-for-high-earners
- Published: 2026-09-16T13:17:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tax brackets, roosevelt institute, samarth gupta, federal income tax, high earners, income inequality, tax policy, marginal tax rate, irs, national debt, tax reform
## Doubling the tax brackets
The Roosevelt Institute proposes expanding federal tax brackets from seven to 14, adding new rates specifically for the nation's highest earners.
## The current system explained
Today's seven brackets range from 10% to 37%. Single filers hit the top 37% rate at $640,600, and married couples at $768,700.
## The problem with one top rate
Once you exceed the 37% threshold, every additional dollar is taxed at the same rate, whether you earn $700,000 or several million.

> once a single taxpayer's taxable income exceeds $640,600, for example, every additional dollar is taxed at the same 37% marginal rate
## More brackets aren't new
The U.S. had 14 brackets in 1916 and eventually reached 56. From 1916 through 1986, the country averaged more than 27 brackets per year.

> From 1916 through 1986, the U.S. averaged more than 27 federal income-tax brackets a year.
## Reagan's tax reform changed everything
The 1986 Tax Reform Act reduced brackets from 15 to 2 and lowered the top rate from 50% to 28%.
## Who would pay more
The proposal keeps the existing seven brackets and adds seven more starting at $900,000 of taxable income for single filers.
## The moderate version
One scenario would raise the marginal rate gradually from 38% at $900,000 to 50% at $10 million.
## The aggressive version
A second version would start with a 40% rate at $900,000 and eventually reach 70% at $10 million.
## Not actually legislation
This is a policy recommendation, not a bill before Congress. No legislatively proposed changes would create these specific brackets and rates.

> These are illustrative scenarios, not legislatively proposed changes to the tax code.
## The revenue question
Higher rates could generate revenue as national debt hits $40 trillion, but the analysis doesn't offer a specific dollar figure for how much.
## Broader reforms needed
Adding brackets alone won't solve income inequality. The proposal argues changes must be paired with reforms to capital gains, corporate taxes, and other areas.

> adding more tax brackets wouldn't, by itself, solve the income inequality problem in the United States
## What this means for you
For now, nothing changes. The seven existing brackets still apply, and only the portion of income in each bracket is taxed at that rate.

> moving into a higher bracket doesn't mean all of your income is taxed at that rate
## Key takeaway

A Roosevelt Institute proposal suggests adding seven tax brackets above $900,000 to make high earners pay progressively higher rates as income climbs.