Taxes » Tax Brackets. Taxpayers fall into one of 7 brackets, depending on their taxable income: 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% or 39.6%. Because the U.S. tax system is a progressive one, as income rises, increasingly higher taxes are imposed. But those in the highest bracket dont pay the highest rate on all their income. For example, in 2016, single individuals pay 39.6% only on income above $415,050 (above $466,950 for married filing jointly); the lower tax rates are levied at the income brackets below that amount, as shown in the table below.