Marginal tax rate

The tax rate, or percentage, which is applied on the last increment of income for purposes of computing Federal or other income taxes. For example, in 1974 a single individual with an adjusted gross income of $3,000 would pay Federal income tax of $310 plus 19% of the excess over $2,000 (19% being the marginal tax rate). An individual with an income of $16,500 would pay $3,S30 plus 34% of the excess over $16,000 (34% being the marginal tax rate). In addition to income, the applicable marginal tax rate on a specific level of adjusted gross income may vary with a taxpayer’s filing status. For example, on an adjusted gross income of $12,000-$14,000 in 1974 a single taxpayer would pav $2,630 plus 29% of the excess over $12,000; married taxpayers filing joint returns would pay $2,260 plus 25% of the excess over $12,000; married taxpayers filing separate returns would pay $2,830 plus 36% of the excess over $12,000; and unmarried heads of households would pay $2,440 plus 27% of the excess over $12,000. The marginal tax rate increases with income for progressive taxes and decreases for regressive taxes. The marginal tax rate is often referred to as an individual’s tax bracket.


 


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