Suppose the tax rate on the first $10,000 income is 0; 10 percent on the next $2

Question

Suppose the tax rate on the first $10,000 income is 0; 10 percent on the next $20,000; 20 percent on the next $20,000; 30 percent on the next $30,000; and 40 percent on any income over $80,000. Family A has income of $40,000 and Family B has income of $100,000. What is the marginal and average tax rate for each family? a. Family A: marginal20 percent; average10 percent; Family B: marginal40 percent; average23 percent. b. Family A: marginal20 percent; average15 percent; Family B: marginal40 percent; average20 percent. c. Family A: marginal10 percent; average10 percent; Family B: marginal30 percent; average30 percent. d. Family A: marginal20 percent; average20 percent; Family B: marginal40 percent; average40 percent.

Explanation / Answer

Family A: marginal rate 20%, average rate 10% Family B: marginal rate 40%, average rate 23% The marginal tax rate is the rate paid on the last dollar of income; this would be whatever tax bracket the family is in. The average rate is the total tax divided by the total income. Family A: total income $40,000: this includes $10,000 at 0%, $20,000 at 10% (tax of $2,000), and $10,000 at 20% (tax of $2,000). The last rate paid is 20% so that is the marginal rate; the total tax paid is $4,000, divide that by $40,000 total income, that is the average rate. Family B: total income $100,000: this includes $10,000 at 0%, $20,000 at 10% (tax of $2,000), $20,000 at 20% (tax of $4,000), $30,000 at 30% (tax of $9,000), and $20,000 at 40% (tax of $8,000). The last rate paid is 40% so that is the marginal rate; the total tax paid is $23,000, divide that by $100,000 total income, that is the average rate.

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