Question

Chuck, a single taxpayer, earns $79,000 in taxable income and $10,000 in interest from an investment in City of Heflin bonds.

a. If Chuck earns an additional $40,480 of taxable income, what is his marginal tax rate on this income?
b. What is his marginal rate if, instead, he had $40,480 of additional deductions?

Answer 1

a) Chuck's total taxable income = $119,480

since Chuck is a single filer, his marginal tax rate for 2020 is 24%, and his tax liability for ordinary income = $14,605.50 + [24% x ($119,480 - $85,525)] = $14,605.50 + (24% x $33,955) = $22,754.70

the interest earned on municipal bonds is not taxed.

b) Chuck's total taxable income = $38,520

since Chuck is a single filer, his marginal tax rate for 2020 is 12%, and his tax liability for ordinary income = $987.50 + [12% x ($38,520 - $9,875)] = $987.50 + (12% x $28,645) = $4,424.90

the interest earned on municipal bonds is not taxed.