New Contribution and Gift Tax Limits for 2026

March 6, 2026
Contribution limits increased for most savings accounts this year, as did the estate and gift tax limits. Find out what's new for 2026.

Last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act made permanent the estate and gift tax exemption that had been enacted temporarily by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017—and increased it by more than $1 million per person for 2026.

Also, beginning this year, employees ages 50 and older who earned more than $150,000 in the previous tax year must put catch-up contributions to their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan into an after-tax Roth account. If the plan doesn't have a Roth 401(k) component, these high-income earners won't be able to make catch-up contributions at all.

"If you can't make catch-up contributions to your company's 401(k) plan, you might consider saving more elsewhere, either in a Roth IRA if you're within the income limits1 or in a traditional brokerage account," says Hayden Adams, CPA, CFP®, director of tax planning and wealth management research at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

Here's what else is new for 2026—and what is staying the same.

  • Type
  • 2025 limit
  • 2026 limit
  • Change
  • Type
    401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and their Roth equivalents
  • 2025 limit
    $23,500
  • 2026 limit
    $24,500
  • Change
    +$1,000
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 50+
  • 2025 limit
    $7,500
  • 2026 limit
    $8,000
  • Change
    +$500
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 60–63
  • 2025 limit
    $11,250
  • 2026 limit
    $11,250
  • Change
    No change
  • Type
    Traditional and Roth IRAs
  • 2025 limit
    $7,000
  • 2026 limit
    $7,500
  • Change
    +$500
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 50+
  • 2025 limit
    $1,000
  • 2026 limit
    $1,100
  • Change
    +$100
  • Type
    Health savings account
  • 2025 limit

    Individual: $4,300

    Family: $8,550
  • 2026 limit

    Individual: $4,400

    Family: $8,750

  • Change

    Individual: +$100

    Family: +$200
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 55+
  • 2025 limit
    $1,000
  • 2026 limit
    $1,000
  • Change
    No change
  • Type
    SEP-IRA* and overall defined contribution plan limit†
  • 2025 limit
    $70,000
  • 2026 limit
    $72,000
  • Change
    +$2,000
  • Type
    SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k)
  • 2025 limit
    $16,500
  • 2026 limit
    $17,000
  • Change
    +$500
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 50+
  • 2025 limit
    $3,500
  • 2026 limit
    $4,000
  • Change
    +$500
  • Type
    Catch-up contribution, ages 60–63
  • 2025 limit
    $5,250
  • 2026 limit
    $5,250
  • Change
    No change
  • Type
  • 2025 limit
  • 2026 limit
  • Change
  • Type
    Annual gift tax exclusion (per recipient)
  • 2025 limit

    Individual: $19,000

    Married filing jointly: $38,000
  • 2026 limit

    Individual: $19,000

    Married filing jointly: $38,000
  • Change

    Individual: No change

    Married filing jointly: No change
  • Type
    Lifetime gift and estate tax exemption
  • 2025 limit

    Individual: $13.99 million

    Married filing jointly: $27.98 million
  • 2026 limit

    Individual: $15 million

    Married filing jointly: $30 million

  • Change

    Individual: +$1,010,000

    Married filing jointly: +$2,020,000

1To contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026, a single filer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be less than $168,000, with contribution limits reduced for MAGIs between $153,000 and $168,000, and joint filers' MAGI must be less than $252,000, with contribution limits reduced for MAGIs between $242,000 and $252,000.

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All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

This information is not a specific recommendation, individualized tax or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager, Estate Attorney) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

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This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. The investment products and investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

This information is not a specific recommendation, individualized tax or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager, Estate Attorney) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

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