Final answer:
The tax liability for an individual depends on the marginal tax rates and the progressive tax system. Without the current year's tax bracket details, the exact tax due on an income of $115,500 cannot be accurately calculated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the tax liability for a single individual with a taxable income of $115,500 that includes a taxable qualified dividend of $2,000, we need to consider the progressive tax system and the marginal tax rates that apply to different income brackets.
The tax brackets for a single filer can be segmented like the following: a certain percentage for income up to a certain level, a higher percentage for income above that level up to a higher level, and so on. For example, if the tax brackets were 10% for income up to $9,075; 15% for income over $9,075 up to $36,900; and 25% for income over $36,900, as per our given information.
However, without the exact current tax brackets and the corresponding tax due for this specific income level, it is not possible to accurately calculate the tax liability. Additionally, qualified dividends are often taxed at a different rate than regular income. This is something that must be considered as well.
Therefore, without the current year's detailed tax bracket information, any attempt to calculate the exact tax due would be speculative and inaccurate.