Question

In 2019, Lisa and Fred, a married couple, had taxable income of $300,000. If they were to file separate tax returns, Lisa would have reported taxable income of $125,000 and Fred would have reported taxable income of $175,000. Use Tax Rate Schedule for reference.

What is the couple’s marriage penalty or benefit? (Do not round intermediate calculations.)

2019 Tax Rate Schedules

Individuals

Schedule X-Single

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$           0	$    9,700	10% of taxable income
$    9,700	$ 39,475	$970 plus 12% of the excess over $9,700
$ 39,475	$ 84,200	$4,543 plus 22% of the excess over $39,475
$ 84,200	$160,725	$14,382.50 plus 24% of the excess over $84,200
$160,725	$204,100	$32,748.50 plus 32% of the excess over $160,725
$204,100	$510,300	$46,628.50 plus 35% of the excess over $204,100
$510,300	—	$153,798.50 plus 37% of the excess over $510,300

Schedule Y-1-Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$           0	$ 19,400	10% of taxable income
$ 19,400	$ 78,950	$1,940 plus 12% of the excess over $19,400
$ 78,950	$168,400	$9,086 plus 22% of the excess over $78,950
$168,400	$321,450	$28,765 plus 24% of the excess over $168,400
$321,450	$408,200	$65,497 plus 32% of the excess over $321,450
$408,200	$612,350	$93,257 plus 35% of the excess over $408,200
$612,350	—	$164,709.50 plus 37% of the excess over $612,350

Schedule Z-Head of Household

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$           0	$ 13,850	10% of taxable income
$ 13,850	$ 52,850	$1,385 plus 12% of the excess over $13,850
$ 52,850	$ 84,200	$6,065 plus 22% of the excess over $52,850
$ 84,200	$160,700	$12,962 plus 24% of the excess over $84,200
$160,700	$204,100	$31,322 plus 32% of the excess over $160,700
$204,100	$510,300	$45,210 plus 35% of the excess over $204,100
$510,300	—	$152,380 plus 37% of the excess over $510,300

Schedule Y-2-Married Filing Separately

If taxable income is over:	But not over:	The tax is:
$           0	$    9,700	10% of taxable income
$    9,700	$ 39,475	$970 plus 12% of the excess over $9,700
$ 39,475	$ 84,200	$4,543 plus 22% of the excess over $39,475
$ 84,200	$160,725	$14,382.50 plus 24% of the excess over $84,200
$160,725	$204,100	$32,748.50 plus 32% of the excess over $160,725
$204,100	$306,175	$46,628.50 plus 35% of the excess over $204,100
$306,175	—	$82,354.75 plus 37% of the excess over $306,175

Answer 1

Tax payable, if filed jointly	60349.00	=28765+(300000-168400)*24%
Tax payable, if filed single:
Lisa	24174.5	=14382.5+(125000-84200)*24%
Fred	37316.5	=32748.5+(175000-160725)*32%
Tax payable, if filed single	61491.00
Couple’s marriage benefit	1142.00	=61491-60349