What Is the Formula for Calculating Income Tax?
Quick Answer
The formula for calculating income tax is the product of the total amount of taxable income multiplied by the tax rate, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The formula to account for multiple marginal tax rates requires multiplying the total amount of money earned in each successive bracket by the tax rate and adding the values together.
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Full Answer
While the above formula provides a raw number for income tax based on income level, a more complex formula is needed to account for deductions, adjustments, exemptions, credits and withholding, according to the financial advice company BALANCE. Adjustments are subtracted from the total gross taxable income and may result from IRA contributions, interest on student loans and the cost of health insurance premiums. Deductions are also subtracted from the gross taxable income. Deductions may be made for medical expenses, state and local taxes and interest on a home mortgage. Exemptions are most often used for dependents of the taxpayer.
Credits are subtracted directly from the taxpayer's tax liability rather than from the gross adjusted taxable income. Commonly used credits include the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Lifetime Learning Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit and the Savers Tax Credit, according to TurboTax.
Learn more about Income TaxRelated Questions
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Q:
What Is an Income Tax?
A: An income tax is a tax imposed by state and federal governments for people and businesses residing within their jurisdictions, explain authors at Investope... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
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Where Can You Learn to Calculate Your Income Tax?
A: You can learn to calculate income tax by attending a tax-preparation course offered by a business that specializes in preparing tax returns, such as H&R Bl... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
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How Do You Track Your Income Tax Return?
A: You can track the status of your income tax return at the official website of the Internal Revenue Service using the Where's My Refund tracking tool. Statu... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
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Where Can You Find Help to File an Income Tax Return?
A: The Internal Revenue Service offers help filing an income tax return for certain taxpayers through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and its Tax ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
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