How Tax Brackets Are Failing in 2026

The federal income tax brackets are supposed to adjust for inflation, but in 2026 they barely moved. Lucas and Luna dig into the mechanics of chained CPI, why the 2026 inflation adjustment was so small, and what it means for your paycheck. They walk through a concrete example: a single filer earning $75,000 who finds their raise eaten by a silent bracket creep. The episode explains how the IRS calculates the adjustments, why the 2025 inflation data was unusually low, and what happens if inflation ticks back up. If you've ever wondered why your tax bill seems to grow even when your income stays flat, this episode gives you the numbers and the logic behind it. No jargon, just the facts, plus a quick detour on why we keep the show ad-free and how you can support that choice. #TaxBrackets #Inflation2026 #ChainedCPI #BracketCreep #TaxPolicy #IRS #FederalIncomeTax #Economics #PersonalFinance #TaxPlanning #WageGrowth #CostOfLiving #FiscalPolicy #TaxReform #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Economy #TaxSeason Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo