Of course, I don't know why some people, liberals especially, have so much trouble understanding the marriage tax penalty.
Let's take your married couple, each earning $30,000, for a total of $60,000 household income. According to IRS Publication 15, Circular E, January 1999, their tax would be $9,657.50.
Now, let's say the two of them decided to live in sin, without officially tying the knot. Each earns $30,000 for a total household income of $60,000. Filing as singles, the total tax would be $8,907.00.
The marriage tax penalty, using your own example, is $750.50. Now, tell me why you don't think this married couple should be taxed the same as if they were living in sin. |
