How to Figure Out Tax Percentages

Tax percentages are the amount of income taxed and due to the tax authority of one's country. In the United States, tax percentages vary from individual to individual and business to business. Furthermore, some organizations are tax-exempt and some income is not taxable. Consequently, calculating tax percentages is not always the same, but tools and rules do exist to make figuring out what percentage of tax is due easier.

This article will illustrate and discuss various ways to figure out tax percentages and provide examples. Section I will discuss the calculation of tax percentages for individuals whereas section II will outline the same for business taxation. Last, the article will provide tax percentage calculation tips to help locate and determine tax percentages and provide ways to more accurately determine tax percentages.

Individual income tax

The basic method for determining taxable personal income in the United States is to use Federal tax rate tables. These tables illustrate how much tax may be due on different levels of income in the form of a percentage. It is important to note however, that the information in the tax tables does not necessarily apply to all tax situations. For example, self employed individuals are taxed in a way that does not allow them to claim the normal standard deduction when computing taxable gross income.

To illustrate the tax schedule, all one need do is locate a tax table and identify one's income level, and filing status. For example, if one is married filing jointly, the Schedule Y-1 is used. Moreover, if the household income for both married partners filing jointly is over $15,650 but under $63,700, one's taxable income would be 10% of the taxable income up to $7,825 plus 15% of the taxable income above that amount. For example, if the couples taxable income is $50,000.00, only $42,175.00 of that amount would be taxable at 15%, making the tax $7,108.00 It is important to note tax tables can change from year to year so it is important to verify the current values in the calculation.

Another way to determine tax is to go to the United States Internal Revenue Service website and click on forms and publications and then instructions or tax forms. From there, click on instructions for Form 1040 and choose the pdf version. After opening the page scroll down to the annual tax table toward the end of the document. Then, locate the taxable income amount and find the column with tax filing status to determine amount due to the Federal government. A summary of these steps is provided below:

• Type http://www.irs.gov in the computer url browser

• Click on the Individual tab then click on forms and publications

• Click on Form 1040 instructions pdf version

• Scroll down document until the tax table

• Identify taxable income and filing status column to determine tax due

When filing state tax, figuring out what is due involves consulting State issued instructional material and the State and local sales tax tables of the IRS form 1040 instructions. The latter of these sources provides base percentage income tax levels at the state level with various exemptions. For exact numerical and/or dollar amount due, actually completing the state tax forms can be helpful.

Business tax

Business taxation can be different from individual income tax, however some cases, business tax is assumed by the owners. Examples of this would be taxation of such as sole-proprietorships, and S-Corporations. In such cases the business income is passed through to those individuals. In the case of corporations where pass through income is not possible, different tax rates apply to higher levels of corporate income. For example, the highest level of tax corporations may pay is 39% whereas the lowest may be 15%. To determine what percentage is due, corporate income tax rate tables can be consulted after completing the necessary tax forms.

In both the cases of individual and business tax, completing tax filing forms with deductions, credits and supplemental forms is essential in accurately calculating taxable income. The lower this value, the less income will be taxable. After determining the taxable income, up to date tax tables provide an easy way to figure out tax percentages and dollar amount due to the tax authority.

Tax percentage calculation tips

When determining tax percentages it can be helpful to keep in mind some methods and practices that may end up allowing a tax filer to accurately identify taxable income and hence avoid overpaying taxes. The following tips illustrate an overall method of approach to taxes that may prove helpful in effectively calculating taxable income.

• Locate all tax documents; find a calculator and clean working area
• Determine filing status, and taxable income type ex-individual
• Apply, account for and record all applicable deductions and credits
• Calculate capital gains on Schedule D and complete other necessary forms
• Complete form 1040 and State income tax forms
• Refer to tax code updates and instructional materials
• Double check completed tax forms and documents for accuracy
• Foresee ways and deductions that lower taxes the next year

Summary

Figuring out tax percentages can be simple of complicated depending on one's individual financial circumstances. This is so as basic tax percentages apply only after taxable income is determined. For this reason, the determining of taxable income is essential in accurately figuring out tax percentage. Once taxable income and filing status are found, referring to IRS and State tax tables can locate the appropriate tax percentage.

Figuring out tax percentages is fairly simple, however figuring out how to achieve the best tax percentages possible for an individual, household and/or business can take preparation, know how and diligence in regard to completing tax forms, and understanding tax rules. This article has provided basic information on determining tax percentages. Since basic tax percentages don't apply in all tax situations, it is also important to define what taxable percentage applies to one's tax circumstance.

Sources:

1. http://www.irs.gov
2. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,id=164272,00.html
3. http://www.themoneyalert.com/Tax-Tables.html
4. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf http://www.smbiz.com/sbrl001.html