Interest from a savings account is taxed at your earned income tax rate for the year. This means that the tax amount you owe on interest for a given year will depend on your total taxable income, the current tax bracket you fall into, and how much you earned in interest.
Here are the marginal tax brackets for the upcoming 2021 income year:
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Up to $9,950 | Up to $19,900 | Up to $14,200 |
| 12% | $9,951 to $40,525 | $19,901 to $81,050 | $14,201 to $54,200 |
| 22% | $40,526 to $86,375 | $81,051 to $172,750 | $54,201 to $86,350 |
| 24% | $86,376 to $164,925 | $172,751 to $329,850 | $86,351 to $164,900 |
| 32% | $164,926 to $209,425 | $329,851 to $418,850 | $164,901 to $209,400 |
| 35% | $209,426 to $523,600 | $418,851 to $628,300 | $209,401 to $523,600 |
| 37% | $523,601 or more | $628,301 or more | $523,601 or more |
Source: Internal Revenue Service
To illustrate, let’s say as a single individual, your total taxable income in 2021 is $60,000. That puts you in the 22% tax bracket, meaning that in addition to paying 22% on your income, you will also pay 22% of your earned interest in taxes. Say you earned $100 in interest on a savings account that year. If your tax rate is 22%, you’ll owe $22 in taxes from that income.
Keep in mind that the variables that determine your tax bracket can change from year to year. If your normal tax bracket changes, the amount of tax you pay on interest income changes along with it.
