The Fiscal Cliff Deal And Your Taxes
Short Answer: Your Taxes Will Go Up
The new deal to avoid the fiscal cliff means the average Alabamian will pay an additional $579 dollars a year in taxes, but some will pay much more. The tax package passed by Congress yesterday prevents one set of tax increases from hitting most Americans, but it won’t stop them all. A temporary Social Security payroll tax reduction will expire, meaning nearly every wage earner will see taxes go up. The wealthy also face higher income taxes.
The median household income in Alabama is just under $43,000. How the tax increases will affect households at different income levels:
Annual income: $20,000 to $30,000
Average tax increase: $297
Annual income: $30,000 to $40,000
Average tax increase: $445
Annual income: $40,000 to $50,000
Average tax increase: $579
Annual income: $50,000 to $75,000
Average tax increase: $822
Annual income: $75,000 to $100,000
Average tax increase: $1,206
Annual income: $100,000 to $200,000
Average tax increase: $1,784
Annual income: $200,000 to $500,000
Average tax increase: $2,711
Annual income: $500,000 to $1 million
Average tax increase: $14,812
Annual income: More than $1 million
Average tax increase: $170,341
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