This article comes from Maurie Backman, who writes about current events affecting small businesses for The Ascent and The Motley Fool.
1. A new set of tax brackets
Wage earners in the U.S. pay taxes on a marginal basis. This means you pay a higher rate of tax on your highest dollars of earnings, and less taxes on your lowest earnings. Your income and filing status dictate what tax bracket you fall into. Here are the new tax brackets taking effect in 2023:
| TAX BRACKET | SINGLE TAX-FILERS | MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY | HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $11,000 | $0 to $22,000 | $0 to $15,700 |
| 12% | $11,001 to $44,725 | $22,001 to $89,450 | $15,701 to $59,850 |
| 22% | $44,726 to $95,375 | $89,451 to $190,750 | $15,701 to $59,850 |
| 24% | $95,376 to $182,100 | $190,751 to $364,200 | $95,351 to $182,100 |
| 32% | $182,101 to $231,250 | $364,201 to $462,500 | $182,101 to $231,250 |
| 35% | $231,251 to $578,125 | $462,501 to $693,750 | $231,251 to $578,100 |
| 37% | $578,126 or more | $693,751 or more | $578,101 or more |
2. Higher 401(k) contribution limits
Saving in an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan is a great way to set yourself up with a nice nest egg for retirement. Plus, the more money you put into a traditional 401(k), the more income you get to shield from the IRS for tax purposes.
Currently, 401(k) plan contributions max out at $20,500 for workers under age 50 and $27,000 for those 50 and older. Next year, 401(k) contribution limits are rising to $22,500 for workers under 50 and $30,000 for those 50 and older. You should also know that if your employer offers a 401(k) match, the money your company puts into your account will not count toward these limits.
3. Higher IRA contribution limits
If you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan (which may be the case if you work for a small business or are self-employed), you can save for retirement in an IRA instead. This year, IRA contribution limits are $6,000 for workers under age 50 and $7,000 for those 50 and over. Next year, these amounts are increasing by $500, so workers under 50 will have a maximum contribution limit of $6,500 and those 50 and over may contribute up to $7,500.
4. Higher HSA contribution limits
If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan, your plan may be compatible with a health savings account, or HSA. HSAs let you set aside pre-tax funds for healthcare spending purposes. This year, HSA limits max out at $3,650 if you have self-only coverage and $7,300 for family coverage. There’s also a $1,000 catch-up for savers 55 and over.
Next year, HSA contribution limits will rise to $3,850 for self-only coverage and $7,750 for family coverage. That $1,000 catch-up amount will stay the same.
5. Higher FSA contribution limits
If you’re not eligible for a health savings account, it pays to look into a flexible spending account, which will also give you a tax break on the money you set aside for medical costs. The difference between the two is that HSA funds never expire, and FSA funds do. So you’ll need to be careful about the money you contribute to your 2023 FSA, to ensure you can spend it all on eligible expenses before the end of the year.
This year, the maximum FSA contribution is $2,850. Next year, it will rise to $3,050.