February 19, 2025
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Business

Understanding Tax Brackets

How Tax Brackets Work

When it comes to paying taxes, it’s important to understand how tax brackets work. Essentially, the U.S. government breaks down income into different tiers or “brackets,” with each bracket having a different tax rate. For example, in 2021, the first $9,950 of income is taxed at a rate of 10%, while income between $9,951 and $40,525 is taxed at a rate of 12%.

It’s important to note that only the income within each bracket is taxed at that specific rate. So if you earn $45,000 in 2021, your first $9,950 will be taxed at 10%, the next portion up to $40,525 will be taxed at 12%, and only the remaining amount above $40,525 will be taxed at the next highest rate.

How Tax Brackets Affect Your Taxes

Knowing which tax bracket you fall into can help you plan your finances accordingly and potentially save money on taxes. For example, if you’re close to crossing into a higher tax bracket (i.e., earning just over the threshold for a higher rate), you may want to consider ways to reduce your taxable income (such as contributing more towards retirement accounts) or strategically delaying some sources of income until the following year. Conversely, if you’re comfortably within a lower tax bracket (e.g., earning less than half of what qualifies as taxable for higher brackets), you may want to consider taking advantage of that by taking on additional work or opportunities without bumping up against those thresholds.

Tips on How to Strategically Manage Your Income

To ensure that you’re making the most out of your taxes and minimizing what needs to go towards them every year – without breaking any laws or engaging in tax fraud – there are a few strategies you can consider. One is to use tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which allow you to defer taxes on contributions until you withdraw the funds later in life.

Another strategy is to be mindful of when your income comes in and plan accordingly. For example, if you’re expecting a bonus or sizable commission check at the end of the year, you may want to try negotiating with your employer to have it paid out in January instead (so that it falls into the following year’s bracket).

Alternatively, if you’re self-employed or can control your work schedule, consider spreading out large projects over multiple years so that they don’t all hit at once and push you into a higher bracket. By staying informed about taxes and taking steps to strategically manage your income, you can make sure that you’re not overpaying and keep more money in your pocket each year.

Want more info? Look at Bruce Willey’s law and tax related articles.