To determine how much a married couple filing jointly with a taxable income of \[tex]$75,000 will pay in federal income taxes, we need to follow these steps systematically:
1. Identify the Tax Bracket:
- \$[/tex]0 to \[tex]$19,400: 10%
- \$[/tex]19,401 to \[tex]$78,950: \$[/tex]1,940 plus 12% of the amount over \[tex]$19,400
- \$[/tex]78,951 to \[tex]$168,400: \$[/tex]9,086 plus 22% of the amount over \[tex]$78,950
- etc.
Since \$[/tex]75,000 falls within the range of \[tex]$19,401 to \$[/tex]78,950, we will use the formula given for that range.
2. Calculate the Tax:
- First, we need to determine the amount over \[tex]$19,400 within the specified range.
- The taxable income is \$[/tex]75,000.
- Subtract the lower limit of the bracket: \[tex]$75,000 - \$[/tex]19,400 = \[tex]$55,600.
3. Apply the Tax Rate to the Amount Over:
- The tax due for this range is \$[/tex]1,940 plus 12% of the amount over \[tex]$19,400.
- Thus, tax due = \$[/tex]1,940 + 0.12 * \[tex]$55,600.
4. Perform the Calculation:
- Calculate 12% of \$[/tex]55,600.
[tex]\[
0.12 \times 55,600 = 6,672
\][/tex]
- Add this amount to \[tex]$1,940.
\[
1,940 + 6,672 = 8,612
\]
Thus, the married couple will pay \$[/tex]8,612 in federal income taxes.
Therefore, the correct answer is [tex]\(\$ 8612\)[/tex].
