Question

Scenario 2: Murphy Brown is an investigative journalist and New York newsanchor.
She is the mother of Avery, age 4, who lives with her. Her income is $200,000. She takes the standard deduction.

Scenario 3: Jake Lowenstein is an underground leftist radical. He is Murphy's ex-husband.
He is also the father of Avery, age 4, who lives with Murphy. His income is $110,000. He takes the standard deduction.

Scenario 4: If Murphy brown and Jake Lowenstein were to marry, keeping the same income, (Total =310,000) and taking the standard deduction

What would be their jount taxable income?

What would be their tax before credits?

Ignore any "Additional Medicare Tax"

How much MORE tax before credits would they pay if they were married?

Answer 1

Scenario 2 : As per IRS, if an individual claims standard deduction from income instead of itemized deductions then she is not eligible to claim dependent and child care tax credit. Standard deduction for single taxpayer is $6,350 for the year 2017.

Taxable income = 200,000 - 6,350 = $193,650.

Scenarios 3: Jake's taxable income

Taxable Income = 110,000 - 6,350 = $103,650

Scenario 4: If both are married, then they can take standard deduction of $12,700 in joint return.

Taxable income = 310,000 - 12,700 = $297,300