Question

Marc, a single taxpayer, earns $64,600 in taxable income and $5,460 in interest from an investment in city of Birmingham bonds. Using the U.S. tax rate schedule for 2020, what is his average tax rate?

2020 Tax Rate Schedules

Individuals

Schedule X-Single

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$          0	$    9,875	10% of taxable income
$    9,875	$ 40,125	$987.50 plus 12% of the excess over $9,875
$ 40,125	$ 85,525	$4,617.50 plus 22% of the excess over $40,125
$ 85,525	$163,300	$14,605.50 plus 24% of the excess over $85,525
$163,300	$207,350	$33,271.50 plus 32% of the excess over $163,300
$207,350	$518,400	$47,367.50 plus 35% of the excess over $207,350
$518,400	—	$156,235 plus 37% of the excess over $518,400

Schedule Y-1-Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$          0	$ 19,750	10% of taxable income
$ 19,750	$ 80,250	$1,975 plus 12% of the excess over $19,750
$ 80,250	$171,050	$9,235 plus 22% of the excess over $80,250
$171,050	$326,600	$29,211 plus 24% of the excess over $171,050
$326,600	$414,700	$66,543 plus 32% of the excess over $326,600
$414,700	$622,050	$94,735 plus 35% of the excess over $414,700
$622,050	—	$167,307.50 plus 37% of the excess over $622,050

Schedule Z-Head of Household

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$          0	$ 14,100	10% of taxable income
$ 14,100	$ 53,700	$1,410 plus 12% of the excess over $14,100
$ 53,700	$ 85,500	$6,162 plus 22% of the excess over $53,700
$ 85,500	$163,300	$13,158 plus 24% of the excess over $85,500
$163,300	$207,350	$31,830 plus 32% of the excess over $163,300
$207,350	$518,400	$45,926 plus 35% of the excess over $207,350
$518,400	—	$154,793.50 plus 37% of the excess over $518,400

Schedule Y-2-Married Filing Separately

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$          0	$    9,875	10% of taxable income
$    9,875	$ 40,125	$987.50 plus 12% of the excess over $9,875
$ 40,125	$ 85,525	$4,617.50 plus 22% of the excess over $40,125
$ 85,525	$163,300	$14,605.50 plus 24% of the excess over $85,525
$163,300	$207,350	$33,271.50 plus 32% of the excess over $163,300
$207,350	$311,025	$47,367.50 plus 35% of the excess over $207,350
$311,025	—	$83,653.75 plus 37% of the excess over $311,025

Answer 1

Answer -

Step - (1) - Information Given :-

Marc, a single taxpayer, earns $64600 in taxable income and $5460 in interest from an investment in city of Birmingham bonds.

.

Step - (2) - Calculation of Marc's tax liability :-

Tax liability = $4617.50 plus 22% of the excess over $40125

= $4617.50 + 22% * ($64600 - $40125)

= $4617.50 + $5384.5

= $10002

.

Step - (3) - Calculation of Marc's average tax rate :-

Average tax rate = Tax liability / Taxable income

= $10002 / $64600

= 15.48%