Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
taxAlso known as: AGI, adjusted gross income
Updated · Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev
Detailed explanation
AGI is the foundation of nearly every tax calculation in the U.S. tax code. It determines eligibility for credits (EITC, Child Tax Credit phase-outs), deduction caps (medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of AGI), retirement contribution limits (Roth IRA phase-out begins at $146K single in 2026), and Medicare IRMAA brackets ($109K single in 2026). Many state income taxes also start from federal AGI before state-specific adjustments. Lower AGI is almost always better for tax purposes — strategies like maxing pre-tax 401(k), HSA contributions, and traditional IRA deductions all reduce AGI.
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Related tax terms
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)
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Standard Deduction
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Marginal Tax Rate
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Effective Tax Rate
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