The federal personal income tax that is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the largest source of revenue for the U.S. federal government. Nearly all working Americans are required to file a tax return with the IRS each year. In addition to this, most people pay taxes
Overview of Federal Taxes
Income in America is taxed by the federal government, most state governments and many local governments. The federal income tax system is progressive, so the rate of taxation increases as income increases. Marginal tax rates range from 10% to 37%.
Calculating Income Tax Rate
The United States has a progressive income tax system. This means there are higher tax rates for higher income levels. These are called “marginal tax rates,” meaning they do not apply to total income, but only to the income within a specific range. These ranges are referred to as brackets.
You’ll notice that the brackets vary depending on whether you are single, married or a head of household. These different categories are called filing statuses. Married persons can choose to file separately or jointly. While it often makes sense to file jointly, filing separately may be the better choice in certain situations.
Calculating Taxable Income Using Exemptions and Deductions
Of course, calculating how much you owe in taxes is not quite that simple. For starters, federal tax rates apply only to taxable income. This is different than your total income, otherwise known as gross income. Taxable income is always lower than gross income since the U.S. allows taxpayers to deduct certain income from their gross income to determine taxable income.
Paying Your Taxes
If you aren’t getting a tax refund and instead owe money come tax day, there may be a way to lessen the sting. For starters, you should still file your taxes on time. Otherwise, you will also have to pay a fee for filing late.
If you don’t think you can afford your full tax bill, then you should pay as much as you can and contact the IRS. The agency may be able to offer you a few payment options to help you pay off your bill. For example, the IRS may offer a short-term extension or temporarily delay collection. You may also have the option to pay your remaining bill over multiple installments. You will likely still pay any interest charges on overdue balances, but in some cases, the IRS may even waive penalties or fees. Again, you should call the agency at the number above to discuss your options.
M&A Accountants LLC is giving you the Tax Brackets Calculator