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Over the past several years there have been five major changes in federal individual marginal 
income tax rates. The Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, 
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief 
Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, and the 
Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 all changed the marginal income tax rate structure. The 
marginal income tax rate structure for 2006 consists of six statutory marginal rates: 10%, 15%, 
25%, 28%, 33%, and 35%. 
Although these acts changed the tax rate structure, they maintained, in a slightly modified form, 
the policy of tax indexation introduced in 1981. Under current law, the personal exemptions, 
standard deductions, earned income tax credit, the personal exemption phaseout threshold, the 
itemized deduction limitation threshold, the tax rate brackets, and other components of the tax 
structure are indexed for inflation. Tax indexation helps prevent inflation from producing 
automatic tax increases and unintended changes in the distribution of the tax burden. 
This report is updated annually to reflect the most recent indexation adjustments. 
 
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Tax Reform Act of 1986 .................................................................................................................. 1 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.................................................................................. 2 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993.................................................................................. 3 
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 ....................................................... 4 
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 ................................................................ 5 
The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004................................................................................ 5 
Effects of Inflation on Real Income Tax Liabilities ........................................................................ 5 
The Mechanics of Indexation .......................................................................................................... 6 
Tax Rate Schedules for 1989 Through 2007 ................................................................................... 7 
 
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Table 1. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1989.................................... 7 
Table 2. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1990.................................... 8 
Table 3. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1991.................................... 9 
Table 4. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1992.................................... 9 
Table 5. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1993.................................. 10 
Table 6. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1994...................................11 
Table 7. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1995.................................. 12 
Table 8. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1996.................................. 12 
Table 9. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1997.................................. 13 
Table 10. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1998................................ 14 
Table 11. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1999................................ 15 
Table 12. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 2000................................ 16 
Table 13. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 2001................................ 17 
Table 14. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, 2002 .................................................. 17 
Table 15. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2002 ................................................................................. 18 
Table 16. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2003 Under Prior Law ..................................................... 18 
Table 17. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions, and the Personal Exemption Phaseout, 2003 ......................................................... 19 
Table 18. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2003 ................................................................................. 20 
Table 19. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions, and the Personal Exemption Phaseout, 2004 ......................................................... 20 
Table 20. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2004 ................................................................................. 21 
Table 21. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized Deductions 
and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2005 ......................................................... 21 
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Table 22. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2005 ................................................................................. 22 
Table 23. 2005 EITC Indexed Levels............................................................................................ 22 
Table 24. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized Deductions 
and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2006 ......................................................... 23 
Table 25. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2006 ................................................................................. 23 
Table 26. 2006 EITC Indexed Levels............................................................................................ 24 
Table 27. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized Deductions 
and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2007 ......................................................... 24 
Table 28. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2007 ................................................................................. 25 
 
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Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 26 
 
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ver the past several years, there have been five major changes in federal individual 
marginal income tax rates. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86) created an individual 
O marginal income tax rate structure that consisted of two statutory tax rates, 15% and 28%. 
However, TRA86 also legislated a 5% surcharge on the taxable income of certain upper-income 
households, which effectively created a third marginal tax rate of 33%. 
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA90) eliminated the 5-percent surcharge 
and created a marginal tax rate structure consisting of three statutory marginal tax rates of 15%, 
28%, and 31%. However, OBRA90 also contained a provision that limited the amount of 
itemized deductions that upper-income households could claim and a provision that modified the 
phaseout of the tax benefits of personal exemptions for upper-income households. 
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA93) added two new marginal income tax 
rates, 36% and 39.6%, at the upper end of the income scale. It also delayed indexation of the two 
new tax brackets for one year. In addition, OBRA93 made permanent the limitation on itemized 
deductions and the phaseout of the tax benefits of the personal exemption. 
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA 2001) created a new 
10% marginal income tax bracket. It also reduced the top four marginal tax rates to 25%, 28%, 
33%, and 35% with the changes phased-in over the period 2001 through 2006. 
The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA 2003) accelerated, to 
2003, the phase-in of the tax rate reductions originally enacted in EGTRRA 2001. 
The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 extended through 2010 most of the tax changes 
enacted as part of the 2003 Act. 
The following sections of this report describe the changes in the marginal tax rate structure over 
the past several years. In addition, the reasons for tax indexation and the mechanics of tax 
indexation are briefly explained. The final section contains the tax rate schedules, exemption 
amounts, and standard deductions for joint, single, and head of household returns for tax years 
1989 through 2007.1 
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Prior to 1986 there were approximately 14 marginal income tax rates ranging from 11% to 50%. 
For tax years after 1987, the Tax Reform Act reduced the marginal tax rate structure to two 
statutory tax rates of 15% and 28%. 
Although the Tax Reform Act specified that there were only two statutory individual marginal 
income tax rates, it also adopted a 5% surcharge on the taxable income of certain upper-income 
households. This surcharge effectively created a third marginal tax rate of 33% (28% statutory 
marginal tax rate plus 5% surcharge) and produced an anomaly in the tax code that came to be 
known as the tax rate “bubble.” 
                                                                 
1 This report concentrates on statutory marginal income tax rates, which are the rates of tax applicable on an increment 
of taxable income. Average tax rates, on the other hand, are tax liability expressed as a percentage of income. 
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Because the surcharge was phased out as incomes increased, marginal tax rates rose to 33% but 
then fell back to 28%. Hence, the tax rate “bubble.” The surcharge was adopted so that the 1986 
Act would not change the distribution of the income tax burden relative to its distribution under 
pre-1986 tax law, would meet the needed revenue targets, and yet allow the 1986 Act to be 
characterized as having only two statutory marginal tax rates. 
The surcharge was designed to phase out the tax benefits of the 15% tax bracket and the tax 
benefits of the personal exemptions for upper-income households. For joint returns in 1990, the 
phaseout of the tax benefits of the 15% tax bracket started when taxable income exceeded 
$78,400 and ended when taxable income reached $162,770. For single returns, the phaseout of 
the 15% tax bracket occurred over the taxable income range of $47,050 to $97,620. For heads of 
households, the phaseout occurred over the taxable income range of $67,200 to $134,930. 
To demonstrate how the 5% surcharge worked to “phase out” the tax benefits of the 15% tax 
bracket consider the following example based on joint returns for 1990. The difference between 
taxing the first $32,450 of taxable income at 28% instead of 15% was $4,218.50. Five percent of 
the difference between the upper and lower phaseout limits was also $4,218.50 ($162,770 less 
$78,400 multiplied by 5%). Hence, assessing the 5% surcharge on taxable income between 
$78,400 and $162,770 was equivalent to having taxed the first $32,450 of taxable income at 28 
rather than 15%. The 5% surcharge produced identical results for both single and head of 
household returns. This surcharge effectively raised the marginal tax rate on taxable income 
within these ranges from 28% to 33% (28% statutory marginal tax rate plus 5% surcharge). 
A 5% surcharge was also used to phase out the tax benefits of the personal exemption for upper-
income households. In 1990, each personal exemption was worth $2,050 and produced a tax 
savings for a household in the 28% marginal tax rate bracket of $574 ($2,050 times 28%). To 
recapture this tax savings a 5% surcharge was assessed against $11,480 of taxable income for 
each personal exemption claimed. A 5% surcharge against this amount of taxable income 
increased tax liability by $574 ($11,480 times 5%), which exactly offset the tax savings from the 
personal exemption. 
The phaseout of personal exemptions started immediately after the phaseout of the 15% tax 
bracket and the phaseout of each exemption occurred sequentially. This meant that the taxable 
income range over which the 5% surcharge applied depended on the number of personal 
exemptions claimed on the tax return. For example, on a joint return claiming two personal 
exemptions the 5% surcharge would apply to taxable income between $162,770 and $185,730 
($162,770 plus two times $11,480). On a joint return with four personal exemptions, the 5% 
surcharge would apply to taxable income between $162,770 and $208,690 ($162,770 plus four 
times $11,480). 
As was also the case with the phaseout of the tax benefits from the 15% tax bracket, the phaseout 
of the personal exemption effectively raised the statutory marginal tax rate from 28% to 33% 
(28% regular tax rate plus 5% surcharge). As noted, the income range over which the effective 
marginal tax rate was 33% depended on the number of personal exemptions claimed. 
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The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA90) created a three-tiered statutory 
marginal income tax rate structure with rates of 15%, 28%, and 31%, effective in tax years 
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beginning in 1991. (The tax rate structure for 1991 is shown in Table 5.) OBRA90 also 
eliminated the tax bubble by repealing the 5% surcharge that was instituted under the Tax Reform 
Act of 1986 (TRA86). Although the 5% surcharge was repealed, it was replaced with a limitation 
on itemized deductions and a new approach to phasing out the tax benefits of the personal 
exemption for upper-income households. 
OBRA90 also reintroduced a tax-rate differential on capital gains income. Provisions in the 1986 
Act had eliminated the preferential tax treatment of capital gains income and hence, capital gains 
income was treated as ordinary income and taxed at regular rates of up to 33%. OBRA90 
contained a provision which limited the tax on capital gains income to a maximum of 28%. This 
provision was effective starting in tax year 1991. 
The OBRA90 limitation on itemized deductions worked as follows. For tax years starting in 
1991, otherwise allowable deductions were reduced by 3% of the amount by which a taxpayer’s 
adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeded $100,000 (except in the case of married couples filing 
separate returns where the AGI limit was $50,000). For example, in 1991, if a taxpayer’s AGI 
were $110,000, then his otherwise allowable itemized deductions would be reduced by $300 
($110,000 less $100,000 times 3%). This provision effectively raised the marginal income tax rate 
of those taxpayers affected by approximately 1 percentage point. (A dollar of income in excess of 
$100,000 was taxed as if it were $1.03, since in addition to the extra dollar of income, the 
taxpayer lost .03 of itemized deductions.) 
Allowable deductions for medical expenses, casualty and theft losses, and investment interest 
were not subject to this limitation. For tax years after 1991, the $100,000 threshold was indexed 
for inflation. This provision was originally scheduled to expire after tax year 1995. 
The phaseout of the tax benefits of the personal exemption worked as follows. Each personal 
exemption was phased out by a factor of 2% for each $2,500 (or fraction of $2,500) by which a 
taxpayer’s AGI exceeded a given threshold amount. In 1991, the threshold amount for a joint 
return was $150,000; for a single return the threshold was $100,000; and for heads of households 
the threshold was $125,000. 
For example, in 1991, a joint household whose AGI was $183,000 would lose 28% of their total 
personal exemptions claimed. The AGI amount in excess of the threshold in this instance would 
be $33,000, $183,000 AGI less $150,000 threshold limit. The $33,000 excess divided by $2,500 
would produce a factor of 13.2 which when rounded up would equal 14. This figure is multiplied 
by 2% to arrive at the final disallowance amount of 28%. Hence, if the family had claimed two 
personal exemptions, which at $2,150 each would total $4,300, they would only be allowed to 
deduct $3,096 ($4,300 total personal exemptions less the $1,204 disallowance, which is 28% of 
the total). 
For tax years after 1991, these threshold amounts were indexed for inflation. This provision was 
also scheduled to expire after tax year 1995. 
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The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA93) made several changes in the 
individual marginal income tax rate structure. First, it added two new marginal tax rates, 36 and 
39.6%, at the upper-end of the income spectrum. (The 39.6% marginal tax rate bracket was 
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created by imposing a “10% surtax” on high-income taxpayers.) Although OBRA93 was enacted 
in August of 1993, the increase in the top marginal tax rates was made effective retroactively to 
January 1, 1993. (Affected taxpayers, however, were not assessed penalties for underpayment of 
1993 taxes resulting from the tax rate increase and they were also allowed to pay any additional 
1993 taxes in three equal installments over a two-year period.) 
Second, OBRA93 delayed indexation of the new top marginal income tax brackets for one year. 
Hence, the nominal dollar tax brackets for the 36% and 39.6% marginal tax rates will remain at 
the same level for both tax year 1993 and 1994. 
Finally, OBRA93 made permanent both the itemized deduction limitation and the phaseout of the 
tax benefits from the personal exemption. 
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The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) made three major 
changes to the individual income tax rate structure. First, it created a new 10% marginal income 
tax bracket for a portion of taxable income that had been taxed at the 15% marginal tax rate. The 
new 10% marginal income tax rate bracket applied, beginning in tax year 2002, to the first 
$12,000 of taxable income for married couples filing jointly, the first $10,000 of taxable income 
for heads of households, and the first $6,000 of taxable income for single individuals. In 2008, the 
$6,000 amount for single individuals was scheduled to be $7,000 and the $12,000 amount for 
married taxpayers filing joint returns was scheduled to be $14,000. Starting with tax year 2009, 
these marginal tax rate bracket amounts are scheduled to be indexed for inflation. 
Second, the 2001 Act reduced the top four marginal income tax rates over the 2001 through 2006 
time period. Under prior income tax law, the marginal tax rate structure for individuals consisted 
of five rates: 15%, 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6%. The 2001 Act reduced the top four marginal 
income tax rates over a six-year period to 25%, 28%, 33% and 35% respectively. 
Finally, the act increased the width of the 15% tax bracket for married couples filing joint returns 
to twice the width of the 15% tax bracket for single returns. This provision was scheduled to be 
phased-in over a four-year time period starting in 2005. The end point of the 15% tax bracket for 
joint returns was scheduled to be 180% of the end point of the 15% tax bracket for single returns 
in 2005, 187% in 2006, 193% in 2007, and 200% in 2008 and subsequent years.2 
In addition to these changes that directly affected the tax rate structure, the 2001 Act made several 
other changes of note. It increased the standard deduction for joint returns to twice the size of the 
standard deduction for single returns, with the change scheduled to be phased in over a five year 
period, 2005 to 2009. EGTRRA also repealed the limitation on itemized deductions and personal 
exemptions for high-income taxpayers with the repeal scheduled to be phased in between 2006 
and 2010. 
                                                                 
2 For more information on these changes see CRS Report RS20976, Individual Income Tax Rates Under the Economic 
Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16), by Gregg A. Esenwein. 
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The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (JGTRRA) made several changes to the 
individual income tax rate structure. First, it accelerated to 2003 the tax rate reductions, originally 
enacted as part of EGTRRA, that were scheduled to occur between 2004 and 2006. Second, it 
accelerated the scheduled expansion in the 10% tax bracket for single and joint returns to tax 
years 2003 and 2004. In 2005, the 10% bracket reverts to the levels as scheduled under 
EGTRRA. 
Third, it accelerates the scheduled widening of the 15% tax bracket for joint returns to twice the 
width of the 15% tax bracket for single returns. This change would be effective for tax years 2003 
and 2004. In 2005, the 15% bracket for joint returns would revert to its levels as scheduled under 
EGTRRA. 
Fourth, JGTRRA accelerated the scheduled increase in the standard deduction for joint returns. 
For tax years 2003 and 2004, the standard deduction for joint returns will be twice the size of the 
standard deduction for single returns. In 2005, the standard deduction for joint returns reverts to 
the levels as scheduled under EGTRRA. 
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In September 2004, Congress passed the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA). 
WFTRA extended several tax provisions that were scheduled to expire at the end of 2004. These 
expiring tax reductions were enacted under JGTRRA, which had accelerated implementation of 
tax reductions originally enacted in 2001 under EGTRRA. 
Among other things, WFTRA extended marriage penalty relief (standard deduction and 15% tax 
bracket for joint returns set at twice the level as those for single returns) through 2008. (In 2009 
and 2010, EGTRRA provisions apply, maintaining the level of the standard deduction and 15% 
tax bracket for joint returns). The 2004 Act also extended the increase in the 10% income tax 
bracket through 2010. 
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In the United States, the federal individual income tax is progressive. That is, as incomes 
increase, income tax liabilities, when measured as a percentage of income, also increase. Part of 
this progressivity is achieved through marginal tax rates that increase as taxable income increases. 
In addition, the income tax is structured on the basis of nominal dollar amounts. Some examples 
of nominal dollar amounts in the income tax are the personal exemption, the standard deduction, 
and the earned income tax credit. During periods of inflation, under an unindexed tax system, the 
progressive nature of the marginal tax rates combined with nominal dollar amounts produces 
automatic tax increases and unintentional changes in the distribution of the tax burden. 
The effects of inflation on real income tax liabilities can be illustrated in the following manner. 
Consider the case of a four-person family with a $30,000 income who filed a joint return in 1989. 
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If we assume that the family did not itemize its deductions, but rather used the standard 
deduction, then its taxable income would have been $16,800 ($30,000 less standard deduction of 
$5,200 and four personal exemptions at $2,000 apiece). Income tax liability on taxable income of 
$16,800 would have been $2,520 which translates into an average tax rate of 8.4% ($2,520 
income tax liability divided by $30,000 income). (See Table 1 for 1989 tax rates.) 
Now consider what would happen if inflation averaged 5% in 1990. In order to maintain the same 
real gross income that it had in 1989, the family would have to earn $31,500 in 1990. In other 
words, income would have to rise by $1,500 for the family to maintain the same real purchasing 
power that it had in the previous year. Assuming there is no indexation, the family’s taxable 
income would be $18,300 ($31,500 less the standard deduction of $5,200 and four personal 
exemptions at $2,000 apiece). Income tax owed on a taxable income of $18,300 would be $2,745 
which translates into an average tax rate of 8.7%. As can be seen from this example, under an 
unindexed tax system, inflation increased this family’s real income tax burden by 0.3 of a 
percentage point between 1989 and 1990. 
If the tax system had been indexed for the assumed 5% inflation, the family would have 
experienced no increase in their real tax burden. For instance, under an indexed system the value 
of the standard deduction for a joint return would have increased from $5,200 in 1989 to $5,460 
in 1990. The personal exemption would have increased from $2,000 to $2,100. Under these 
circumstances the family’s 1990 taxable income would have been $17,640 ($31,500 income less 
standard deduction and personal exemptions). Based on this taxable income, their income tax 
liability would have been $2,646 which translates into an average tax rate of 8.4%. Thus, under 
an indexed tax system, the family would have experienced no change in their real income tax 
liability between 1989 and 1990. 
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Provisions originally contained in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and later amended by 
the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, specify that certain components of the individual income tax 
system will be indexed for inflation. These components include the standard deductions, the 
additional standard deductions for the elderly and the blind, the personal exemption, the earned 
income tax credit (EITC), the income breakpoints between the various tax rate brackets, the 
income level at which the limitation on itemized deductions becomes effective, and the income 
level above which the tax benefits of the personal exemptions are phased out. 
The adjustment for any given tax year is to be based on the percentage amount by which the 
average Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the twelve month period 
ending on August 31 of the preceding year exceeds the average CPI-U during a specified twelve 
month base period. The base period varies depending upon the tax component under 
consideration. 
With the exception of the EITC, inflation adjustments are rounded down to the nearest multiple of 
$50. Although rounding down affects the accuracy of any given year’s inflation adjustment, the 
effect will not be cumulative since each year’s adjustment will be calculated to reflect the entire 
amount of inflation that has occurred between the adjustment year and the base period. 
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For example, the adjustment factor for the standard deductions in 2002 was calculated as follows. 
The average CPI-U for the base period, September 1986 through August 1987, was 111.98. The 
average CPI-U for the period September 2000 through August 2001 was 175.875. Given these 
amounts, the inflation adjustment factor for 2002 was 1.5705 (175.875/111.98). This inflation 
adjustment factor was then applied to the base year values of the standard deductions to 
determine their values for 2002. 
For instance, the standard deduction for joint returns in the base year was $5,000. Multiplying this 
amount by the inflation adjustment factor produces a 2002 value of $7,852. Rounding down to 
the nearest $50 multiple results in a 2002 standard deduction for joint returns of $7,850. This 
same process was applied to all of the other indexed components of the tax code to determine 
their values in terms of 2002 dollars. 
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The following tables present the marginal tax rates schedules, personal exemption amounts, and 
standard deductions for tax years 1989 through 2007. 
Table 1. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1989 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,000 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$5,200 
Single 
3,100 
Head of Household 
4,550 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint 
$600 
Single/Head of Household 
 750 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 30,950 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 30,950 - $ 74,850 
$4,642.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 30,950 
$ 74,850 - $177,720 
$16,934.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 74,850 
$177,720 + 
$50,881.60 + 28% of the amount over $177,720 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 18,550 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 18,550 - $ 44,900 
$ 2,782.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 18,550 
$ 44,900 - $104,300 
$10,160.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 44,900 
$104,300 + 
$29,772.40 + 28% of the amount over $104,300 
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Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Household 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 24,850 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 24,850 - $ 64,200 
$ 3,727.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 24,850 
$151,210 + 
$43,458.80 + 28% of the amount over $151,210 
$ 64,200 - $151,210  
$14,745.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 64,200 
Note: “Tax bubble” indicated by italicized areas of the tax rate schedules. 
Table 2. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1990 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,050 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$5,450 
Single 
3,250 
Head of Household 
4,750 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$650 
Single/Head of Household 
800 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 32,450 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 32,450 - $ 78,400 
$ 4,867.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 32,450 
$ 78,400 - $185,730 
$17,733.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 78,400 
$185,730 + 
$53,152.40 + 28% of the amount over $185,730 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 19,450 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 19,450 - $ 47,050 
$ 2,917.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 19,450 
$ 47,050 - $109,100 
$10,645.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 47,050 
$109,100 + 
$31,122.00 + 28% of the amount over $109,100 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 26,050 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 26,050 - 67,200 
$ 3,907.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 26,050 
$ 67,200 - $157,890 
$15,429.50 + 33% of the amount over $ 67,200 
$157,890 + 
$45,357.20 + 28% of the amount over $157,890 
Note: “Tax Bubble” indicated by italicized areas of the tax rate schedules. 
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Table 3. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1991 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,150 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$5,700 
Single 
3,400 
Head of Household 
5,000 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$650 
Single/Head of Household 
850 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 34,000 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 34,000 - $ 82,150 
$ 5,100 + 28% of the amount over $ 34,000 
$ 82,150 + 
$18,582 + 31% of the amount over $ 82,150 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 20,350 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 20,350 - $ 49,300 
$ 3,052.50 + 28% of the amount over $ 20,350 
$ 49,300 + 
$11,158.50 + 31% of the amount over $ 49,300 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 27,300 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 27,300 - $ 70,450 
$ 4,095 + 28% of the amount over $ 27,300 
$ 70,450 + 
$16,177 + 31% of the amount over $ 70,450 
Table 4. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1992 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,300 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,000 
Single 
3,600 
Head of Household 
5,250 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$700 
Single/Head of Household 
900 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 35,800 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 35,800 - $ 86,500 
$ 5,370 + 28% of the amount over $ 35,800 
$ 86,500 + 
$19,566 + 31% of the amount over $ 86,500 
ȱȱȱ
şȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 21,450 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 21,450 - $ 51,900 
$ 3,218 + 28% of the amount over $ 21,450 
$ 51,900 + 
$11,744 + 31% of the amount over $ 51,900 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 28,750 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 28,750 - $ 74,150 
$ 4,313 + 28% of the amount over $ 28,750 
$ 74,150 + 
$17,235 + 31% of the amount over $ 74,150 
Table 5. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1993 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,350 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,200 
Single 
3,700 
Head of Household 
5,450 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$700 
Single/Head of Household 
900 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 36,900 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 36,900 - $ 89,150 
$5,535 + 28% of the amount over $36,900 
$ 89,150 - $ 140,000 
$20,165 + 31% of the amount over $89,150 
$ 140,000 - $ 250,000 
$35,929 + 36% of the amount over $140,000 
$ 250,000 + 
$75,529 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 22,100 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 22,100 - $53,500 
$3,315 + 28% of the amount over $22,100 
$ 53,500 - $ 115,000 
$12,107 + 31% of the amount over $53,500 
$ 115,000 - $ 250,000 
$31,172 + 36% of the amount over $115,000 
$ 250,000 + 
$79,772 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 29,600 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 29,600 - $ 76,400 
$4,440 + 28% of the amount over $29,600 
$ 76,400 - $ 127,500 
$17,544 + 31% of the amount over $76,400 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŖȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$ 127,500 - $ 250,000 
$33,385 + 36% of the amount over $127,500 
$ 250,000 + 
$77,485 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
Table 6. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1994 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,450 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,350 
Single 
3,800 
Head of Household 
5,600 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$750 
Single/Head of Household 
950 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 38,000 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 38,000 - $ 91,850 
$5,700 + 28% of the amount over $38,000 
$ 91,850 - $ 140,000 
$20,778 + 31% of the amount over $91,850 
$ 140,000 - $ 250,000 
 $35,705 + 36% of the amount over $140,000 
$ 250,000 + 
$75,305 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 22,750 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 22,750 - $ 55,100 
$3,413 + 28% of the amount over $22,750 
$ 55,100 - $ 115,000 
$12,471 + 31% of the amount over $55,100 
$ 115,000 - $ 250,000 
$31,040 + 36% of the amount over $115,000 
$ 250,000 + 
$79,640 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 30,500 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 30,500 - $ 78,700 
$4,575 + 28% of the amount over $30,500 
$ 78,700 - $ 127,500 
$18,071 + 31% of the amount over $78,750 
$ 127,500 - $ 250,000 
 $33,199 + 36% of the amount over $127,500 
$ 250,000 + 
$77,299 + 39.6% of the amount over $250,000 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŗȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Table 7. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1995 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,500 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,550 
Single 
3,900 
Head of Household 
5,750 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$750 
Single/Head of Household 
950 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 39,000 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 39,000 - $ 94,250 
$5,850 + 28% of the amount over $39,000 
$ 94,250 - $ 143,600 
$21,320 + 31% of the amount over $94,250 
$ 143,600 - $ 256,500 
 $36,619 + 36% of the amount over $143,600 
$ 256,500 + 
$77,263 + 39.6% of the amount over $256,500 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 23,350 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 23,350 - $ 56,550 
$3,503 + 28% of the amount over $23,350 
$ 56,550 - $ 117,950 
$12,799 + 31% of the amount over $56,550 
$ 117,950 - $ 256,500 
$31,833 + 36% of the amount over $117,950 
$ 256,500 + 
$81,711 + 39.6% of the amount over $256,500 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 31,250 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 31,250 - $ 80,750 
$4,688 + 28% of the amount over $31,250 
$ 80,750 - $ 130,800 
$18,548 + 31% of the amount over $80,750 
$ 130,800 - $ 256,500 
 $34,063 + 36% of the amount over $130,800 
$ 256,500 + 
$79,315 + 39.6% of the amount over $256,500 
Table 8. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1996 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,550 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,700 
Single 
4,000 
Head of Household 
5,900 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŘȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$800 
Single/Head of Household 
1,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 40,100 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 40,100 - $ 96,900 
$6,015 + 28% of the amount over $40,100 
$ 96,900 - $ 147,700 
$21,919 + 31% of the amount over $96,900 
$ 147,700 - $ 263,750 
 $37,667 + 36% of the amount over $147,700 
$ 263,750 + 
$79,445 + 39.6% of the amount over $263,750 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 24,000 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 24,000 - $ 58,150 
$3,600 + 28% of the amount over $24,000 
$ 58,150 - $ 121,300 
$13,162 + 31% of the amount over $58,150 
$ 121,300 - $ 263,750 
$32,739 + 36% of the amount over $121,300 
$ 263,750 + 
$84,021 + 39.6% of the amount over $263,750 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 32,150 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 32,150 - $ 83,050 
$4,823 + 28% of the amount over $32,150 
$ 83,050 - $ 134,500 
$19,075 + 31% of the amount over $83,050 
$ 134,500 - $ 263,750 
 $35,025 + 36% of the amount over $134,500 
$ 263,750 + 
$81,555 + 39.6% of the amount over $263,750 
Table 9. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1997 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,650 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$6,900 
Single 
4,150 
Head of Household 
6,050 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$800 
Single/Head of Household 
1,000 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 41,200 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 41,200 - $ 99,600 
$6,180 + 28% of the amount over $41,200 
$ 99,600 - $ 151,750 
$22,532 + 31% of the amount over $99,600 
ȱȱȱ
ŗřȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$ 151,750 - $ 271,050 
 $38,699 + 36% of the amount over $151,750 
$ 271,050 + 
$81,647 + 39.6% of the amount over $271,050 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 24,650 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 24,650 - $ 59,750 
$3,698 + 28% of the amount over $24,650 
$ 59,750 - $ 124,650 
$13,526 + 31% of the amount over $59,750 
$ 124,650 - $ 271,050 
$33,645 + 36% of the amount over $124,650 
$ 271,050 + 
$86,349 + 39.6% of the amount over $271,050 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 33,050 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 33,050 - $ 83,350 
$4,958 + 28% of the amount over $33,050 
$ 83,350 - $ 138,200 
$19,602 + 31% of the amount over $85,350 
$ 138,200 - $ 271,050 
 $35,986 + 36% of the amount over $138,200 
$ 271,050 + 
$83,812 + 39.6% of the amount over $271,050 
Table 10. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1998 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,700 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$7,100 
Single 
4,250 
Head of Household 
6,250 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$850 
Single/Head of Household 
1,050 
Maginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 42,350 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 42,350 - $ 102,300 
$6,353 + 28% of the amount over $42,350 
$ 102,300 - $ 155,950 
$23,139 + 31% of the amount over $102,300 
$ 155,950 - $ 278,450 
 $39,770 + 36% of the amount over $155,950 
$ 278,450 + 
$83,870 + 39.6% of the amount over $278,450 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 25,350 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 25,350 - $ 61,400 
$3,803 + 28% of the amount over $25,350 
$ 61,400 - $ 128,100 
$13,897 + 31% of the amount over $61,400 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŚȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$ 128,100 - $ 278,450 
$34,574 + 36% of the amount over $128,100 
$ 278,450 + 
$88,700 + 39.6% of the amount over $278,450 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 33,950 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 33,950 - $ 87,700 
$5,093 + 28% of the amount over $33,950 
$ 87,700 - $ 142,000 
$20,143 + 31% of the amount over $87,700 
$ 142,000 - $ 278,450 
 $36,976+ 36% of the amount over $142,000 
$ 278,450 + 
$86,098 + 39.6% of the amount over $278,450 
Table 11. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 1999 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,750 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$7,200 
Single 
4,300 
Head of Household 
6,350 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$850 
Single/Head of Household 
1,050 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 43,050 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 43,050 - $ 104,050 
$6,458 + 28% of the amount over $43,050 
$ 104,050 - $ 158,550 
$23,538 + 31% of the amount over $104,050 
$ 158,550 - $ 283,150 
 $40,433 + 36% of the amount over $158,550 
$ 283,150 + 
$85,289 + 39.6% of the amount over $283,150 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 25,750 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 25,750 - $ 62,450 
$3,863 + 28% of the amount over $25,750 
$ 62,450 - $ 130,250 
$14,139 + 31% of the amount over $62,450 
$ 130,250 - $ 283,150 
$35,157 + 36% of the amount over $130,250 
$ 283,150 + 
$90,201 + 39.6% of the amount over $283,150 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 34,550 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 34,550 - $ 89,150 
$5,183 + 28% of the amount over $34,550 
$ 89,150 - $ 144,400 
$20,471 + 31% of the amount over $89,150 
ȱȱȱ
ŗśȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$ 144,400 - $ 283,150 
 $37,598 + 36% of the amount over $144,440 
$ 283,150 + 
$87,548 + 39.6% of the amount over $283,150 
Table 12. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 2000 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,800 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$7,350 
Single 
4,400 
Head of Household 
6,450 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$850 
Single/Head of Household 
1,100 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 43,850 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 43,850 - $ 105,950 
$6,578 + 28% of the amount over $43,850 
$ 105,950 - $ 161,450 
$23,966 + 31% of the amount over $105,950 
$ 161,450 - $ 288,350 
 $41,171 + 36% of the amount over $161,450 
$ 288,350 + 
$86,855 + 39.6% of the amount over $288,350 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 26,250 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 26,250 - $ 63,550 
$3,938 + 28% of the amount over $26,250 
$ 63,550 - $ 132,600 
$14,382 + 31% of the amount over $63,550 
$ 132,600 - $ 288,350 
$35,787 + 36% of the amount over $132,600 
$ 288,350 + 
$91,857 + 39.6% of the amount over $288,350 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 35,150 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 35,150 - $ 90,800 
$5,273 + 28% of the amount over $35,150 
$ 90,800 - $ 147,050 
$20,855 + 31% of the amount over $90,800 
$ 147,050 - $ 288,350 
 $38,292 + 36% of the amount over $147,050 
$ 288,350 + 
$89,160 + 39.6% of the amount over $288,350 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŜȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Table 13. Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, 2001 
Personal Exemptions 
$2,900 
Standard Deductions 
Joint 
$7,600 
Single 
4,550 
Head of Household 
6,650 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind 
Joint  
$900 
Single/Head of Household 
1,100 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 45,200 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 45,200 - $ 109,250 
$6,780 + 27.5% of the amount over $45,200 
$ 109,250 - $ 166,500 
$24,394 + 30.5% of the amount over $109,250 
$ 166,500 - $ 297,350 
 $41,855 + 35.5% of the amount over $166,500 
$ 297,350 + 
$88,307 + 39.1% of the amount over $297,350 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 27,050 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 27,050 - $ 65,550 
$4,058 + 27.5% of the amount over $27,050 
$ 65,550 - $ 136,750 
$14,646 + 30.5% of the amount over $65,550 
$ 136,750 - $ 297,350 
$36,362 + 35.5% of the amount over $136,750 
$ 297,350 + 
$93,375 + 39.1% of the amount over $297,350 
Marginal Income Tax Rates, Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 - $ 36,250 
 
15% of the amount over $ 0 
$ 36,250 - $ 93,650 
$5,438 + 27.5% of the amount over $36,250 
$ 93,650 - $ 151,650 
$21,223 + 30.5% of the amount over $93,650 
$ 151,650 - $ 297,350 
 $38,913 + 35.5% of the amount over $151,650 
$ 297,350 + 
$90,637 + 39.1% of the amount over $297,350 
Table 14. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, 2002 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,000 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$7,850 
Single 
$4,700 
Head of Household 
$6,900 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŝȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint 
$900 
Single/Head of Household 
$1,150 
Table 15. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2002 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$12,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$12,000 
to 
$46,700 
$1,200 plus 15% of the amount over $12,000 
$46,700 
to 
$112,850 
$6,405 plus 27% of the amount over $46,700 
$112,850 
to 
$171,950 
$24,266 plus 30% of the amount over $112,850 
$171,950 
to 
$307,050 
$41,996 plus 35% of the amount over $171,950 
$307,050  plus 
 
$89,281 plus 38.6% of the amount over $307,050 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$6,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$6,000 
to 
$27,950 
$600 plus 15% of the amount over $6,000 
$27,950 
to 
$67,700 
$3,893 plus 27% of the amount over $27,950 
$67,700 
to 
$141,250 
$14,626 plus 30% of the amount over $67,700 
$141,250 
to 
$307,050 
$36,691 plus 35% of the amount over $141,250 
$307,050  plus 
 
$94,721 plus 38.6% of the amount over $307,050 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,000 
to 
$37,450 
$1,000 plus 15% of the amount over $10,000 
$37,450 
to 
$96,700 
$5,118 plus 27% of the amount over $37,450 
$96,700 
to 
$156,600 
$21,116 plus 30% of the amount over $96,700 
$156,600 
to 
$307,050 
$39,086 plus 35% of the amount over $156,600 
$307,050  plus 
 
$91,744 plus 38.6% of the amount over $307,050 
Table 16. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2003 Under Prior Law 
(Pre-Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act) 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$12,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$12,000 
to 
$47,450 
$1,200 plus 15% of the amount over $12,000 
$47,450 
to 
$114,650 
$6,518 plus 27% of the amount over $47,450 
$114,650 
to 
$174,700 
$24,662 plus 30% of the amount over $114,650 
ȱȱȱ
ŗŞȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$174,700 to 
$311,950 
$42,677 plus 35% of the amount over $174,700 
$311,950  plus 
 
$90,714 plus 38.6% of the amount over $311,950 
Standard Deduction for a joint return was $7,950 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$6,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$6,000 
to 
$28,400 
$600 plus 15% of the amount over $6,000 
$28,400 
to 
$68,800 
$3,960 plus 27% of the amount over $28,400 
$68,800 
to 
$143,500 
$14,868 plus 30% of the amount over $68,800 
$143,500 
to 
$311,950 
$37,278 plus 35% of the amount over $143,500 
$311,950  plus 
 
$96,236 plus 38.6% of the amount over $311,950 
Standard deduction for a single return is $4,750 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,000 
to 
$38,050 
$1,000 plus 15% of the amount over $10,000 
$38,050 
to 
$98,250 
$5,208 plus 27% of the amount over $38,050 
$98,250 
to 
$159,100 
$21,462 plus 30% of the amount over $98,250 
$159,100 
to 
$311,950 
$39,717 plus 35% of the amount over $159,100 
$311,950  plus 
 
$93,214 plus 38.6% of the amount over $311,950 
Standard deduction for head of household return is $7,000 
Table 17. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions, and the Personal Exemption Phaseout, 2003 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,050 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$9,500 
Single 
$4,750 
Head of Household 
$7,000 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint 
$950 
Single/Head of Household 
$1,150 
Limitation on itemized deductions: 
$139,500 
Phase out of personal exemptions: 
Joint 
$209,250 
Head of household 
$174,400 
Single 
$139,500 
ȱȱȱ
ŗşȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Table 18. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2003 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$14,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$14,000 
to 
$56,800 
$1,400 plus 15% of the amount over $14,000 
$56,800 
to 
$114,650 
$7,820 plus 25% of the amount over $56,800 
$114,650 
to 
$174,700 
$22,283 plus 28% of the amount over $114,650 
$174,700 
to 
$311,950 
$39,097 plus 33% of the amount over $174,700 
$311,950  plus 
 
$84,390 plus 35% of the amount over $311,950 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$7,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$7,000 
to 
$28,400 
$700 plus 15% of the amount over $7,000 
$28,400 
to 
$68,800 
$3,910 plus 25% of the amount over $28,400 
$68,800 
to 
$143,500 
$14,010 plus 28% of the amount over $68,800 
$143,500 
to 
$311,950 
$34,926 plus 33% of the amount over $143,500 
$311,950  plus 
 
$90,515 plus 35% of the amount over $311,950 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,000 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,000 
to 
$38,050 
$1,000 plus 15% of the amount over $10,000 
$38,050 
to 
$98,250 
$5,208 plus 25% of the amount over $38,050 
$98,250 
to 
$159,100 
$20,258 plus 28% of the amount over $98,250 
$159,100 
to 
$311,950 
$37,296 plus 33% of the amount over $159,100 
$311,950  plus 
 
$87,737 plus 35% of the amount over $311,950 
Table 19. Personal Exemptions and Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions, and the Personal Exemption Phaseout, 2004 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,100 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$9,700 
Single 
$4,850 
Head of Household 
$7,150 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint 
$950 
Single/Head of Household 
$1,200 
Limitation on itemized deductions: 
$142,700 
Phase out of personal exemptions: 
Joint 
$214,050 
ȱȱȱ
ŘŖȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Head of household 
$178,350 
Single 
$142,700 
Table 20. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2004 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$14,300 
10% of the amount over $0 
$14,300 
to 
$58,100 
$1,430 plus 15% of the amount over $14,300 
$58,100 
to 
$117,250 
$8,000 plus 25% of the amount over $58,100 
$117,250 
to 
$178,650 
$22,788 plus 28% of the amount over $117,250 
$178,650 
to 
$319,100 
$39,980 plus 33% of the amount over $178,650 
$319,100  plus 
 
$86,328 plus 35% of the amount over $319,100 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$7,150 
10% of the amount over $0 
$7,150 
to 
$29,050 
$715 plus 15% of the amount over $7,150 
$29,050 
to 
$70,350 
$4,000 plus 25% of the amount over $29,050 
$70,350 
to 
$146,750 
$14,325 plus 28% of the amount over $70,350 
$146,750 
to 
$319,100 
$35,717 plus 33% of the amount over $146,750 
$319,100  plus 
 
$92,593 plus 35% of the amount over $319,100 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,200 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,200 
to 
$38,900 
$1,020 plus 15% of the amount over $10,200 
$38,900 
to 
$100,500 
$5,325 plus 25% of the amount over $38,900 
$100,500 
to 
$162,700 
$20,725 plus 28% of the amount over $100,500 
$162,700 
to 
$319,100 
$38,141 plus 33% of the amount over $162,700 
$319,100  plus 
 
$89,753 plus 35% of the amount over $319,100 
Table 21. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2005 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,200 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$10,000 
Single 
$5,000 
Head of Household 
$7,300 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint (each spouse) 
$1,000 
Single/Head of Household 
$1,250 
ȱȱȱ
Řŗȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Limitation on itemized deductions: 
$145,950 
Phase out of personal exemptions: 
Joint 
$218,950 
Head of household 
$182,450 
Single 
$145,950 
Table 22. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2005 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$14,600 
10% of the amount over $0 
$14,600 
to 
$59,400 
$1,460 plus 15% of the amount over $14,600 
$59,400 
to 
$119,950 
$8,180 plus 25% of the amount over $59,400 
$119,950 
to 
$182,800 
$23,318 plus 28% of the amount over $119,950 
$182,800 
to 
$326,450 
$40,916 plus 33% of the amount over $182,800 
$326,450  plus 
 
$88,321 plus 35% of the amount over $326,450 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$7,300 
10% of the amount over $0 
$7,300 
to 
$29,700 
$730 plus 15% of the amount over $7,300 
$29,700 
to 
$71,950 
$4,090 plus 25% of the amount over $29,700 
$71,950 
to 
$150,150 
$14,653 plus 28% of the amount over $71,950 
$150,150 
to 
$326,450 
$36,549 plus 33% of the amount over $150,150 
$326,450  plus 
 
$94,728 plus 35% of the amount over $326,450 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,450 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,450 
to 
$39,800 
$1,045 plus 15% of the amount over $10,450 
$39,800 
to 
$102,800 
$5,448 plus 25% of the amount over $39,800 
$102,800 
to 
$166,450 
$21,198 plus 28% of the amount over $102,800 
$166,450 
to 
$326,450 
$39,020 plus 33% of the amount over $166,450 
$326,450  plus 
 
$91,820 plus 35% of the amount over $326,450 
Table 23. 2005 EITC Indexed Levels 
 No 
 
One  
Two or More  
Children 
Child 
Children 
Credit Rate 
7.65% 
34% 
40% 
Maximum credit earnings 
$5,220 
$7,830 
$11,000 
Maximum credit 
$399 
$2,662 
$4,400 
Credit phaseout rate 
7.65% 
15.98% 
21.06% 
ȱȱȱ
ŘŘȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
 No 
 
One  
Two or More  
Children 
Child 
Children 
Phaseout Range: 
 $6,530 
$14,370 
$14,370 
 $11,750 
$31,030 
$35,263 
Phaseout Range, Married Couples: 
Start $8,530 
$16,370 
$16,370 
End $13,750 
$33,030 
$37,263 
Note: For more information on the earned income tax credit, see CRS Report RL31768, The Earned Income Tax 
Credit (EITC): An Overview, by Christine Scott. 
Table 24. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2006 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,300 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$10,300 
Single 
$5,150 
Head of Household 
$7,550 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint (each spouse) 
$1,000 
Single/Head of Household 
$1,250 
Limitation on itemized deductions: 
$150,500 
Phase out of personal exemptions: 
Joint 
$225,750 
Head of household 
$188,150 
Single 
$150,500 
Table 25. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2006 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$15,100 
10% of the amount over $0 
$15,100 
to 
$61,300 
$1,510 plus 15% of the amount over $15,100 
$61,300 
to 
$123,700 
$8,440 plus 25% of the amount over $61,300 
$123,700 
to 
$188,450 
$24,040 plus 28% of the amount over $123,700 
$188,450 
to 
$336,550 
$42,170 plus 33% of the amount over $188,450 
$336,550  plus 
 
$91,043 plus 35% of the amount over $336,550 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$7,550 
10% of the amount over $0 
ȱȱȱ
Řřȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
$7,550 to 
$30,650 
$755 plus 15% of the amount over $7,550 
$30,650 
to 
$74,200 
$4,220 plus 25% of the amount over $30,650 
$74,200 
to 
$154,800 
$15,108 plus 28% of the amount over $74,200 
$154,800 
to 
$336,550 
$37,676 plus 33% of the amount over $154,800 
$336,550  plus 
 
$97,653 plus 35% of the amount over $336,550 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$10,750 
10% of the amount over $0 
$10,750 
to 
$41,050 
$1,075 plus 15% of the amount over $10,750 
$41,050 
to 
$106,000 
$5,620 plus 25% of the amount over $41,050 
$106,000 
to 
$171,650 
$21,858 plus 28% of the amount over $106,000 
$171,650 
to 
$336,550 
$40,240 plus 33% of the amount over $171,650 
$336,550  plus 
 
$94,657 plus 35% of the amount over $336,550 
Table 26. 2006 EITC Indexed Levels 
 No 
 
One  
Two or More  
Children 
Child 
Children 
Credit Rate 
7.65% 
34% 
40% 
Maximum credit earnings 
$5,380 
$8,080 
$11,340 
Maximum credit 
$412 
$2,747 
$4,536 
Credit phaseout rate 
7.65% 
15.98% 
21.06% 
Phaseout Range: 
 $6,740 
$14,810 
$14,810 
 $12,120 
$32,001 
$36,348 
Phaseout Range, Married Couples: 
Start $8,740 
$16,810 
$16,810 
End $14,120 
$34,001 
$38,348 
Note: For more information on the earned income tax credit, see CRS Report RL31768, The Earned Income Tax 
Credit (EITC): An Overview, by Christine Scott. 
Table 27. Personal Exemptions, Standard Deductions, Limitation on Itemized 
Deductions and the Personal Exemption Phase Out Thresholds, 2007 
Personal Exemptions 
$3,400 
Standard Deductions: 
Joint 
$10,700 
Single 
$5,350 
Head of Household 
$7,850 
Additional Standard Deductions for the Elderly and the Blind: 
Joint (each spouse) 
$1,050 
ȱȱȱ
ŘŚȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
Single/Head of Household 
$1,300 
Limitation on itemized deductions: 
$156,400 
Phase out of personal exemptions: 
Joint 
$234,600 
Head of household 
$195,500 
Single 
$156,400 
Note: Preliminary, based on information contained in “A Summary of 2007 Inflation Adjustments Impacting 
Individuals,” by James C. Young, Tax Notes Today, September 18, 2006. 
Table 28. Marginal Income Tax Rates, 2007 
Joint Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$ 0 
to 
$15,650 
10% of the amount over $0 
$15,650 
to 
$63,700 
$1,565 plus 15% of the amount over $15,650 
$63,700 
to 
$128,500 
$8,773 plus 25% of the amount over $63,700 
$128,500 
to 
$195,850 
$24,973 plus 28% of the amount over $128,500 
$195,850 
to 
$349,700 
$43,831 plus 33% of the amount over $195,850 
$349,700  plus 
 
$94,601 plus 35% of the amount over $349,700 
Single Returns 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0 
to 
$7,825 
10% of the amount over $0 
$7,825 
to 
$31,850 
$783 plus 15% of the amount over $7,825 
$31,850 
to 
$77,100 
$4,386 plus 25% of the amount over $31,850 
$77,100 
to 
$160,850 
$15,699 plus 28% of the amount over $77,100 
$160,850 
to 
$349,700 
$39,149 plus 33% of the amount over $160,850 
$349,700  plus 
 
$101,469 plus 35% of the amount over $349,700 
Heads of Households 
If taxable income is: 
Then, tax is: 
$0  
to 
$11,200 
10% of the amount over $0 
$11,200 
to 
$42,650 
$1,120 plus 15% of the amount over $11,200 
$42,650 
to 
$110,100 
$5,838 plus 25% of the amount over $42,650 
$110,100 
to 
$178,350 
$22,700 plus 28% of the amount over $110,100 
$178,350 
to 
$349,700 
$41,810 plus 33% of the amount over $178,350 
$349,700  plus 
 
$98,356 plus 35% of the amount over $349,700 
Note: Preliminary, based on information contained in “A Summary of 2007 Inflation Adjustments Impacting 
Individuals,” by James C. Young, Tax Notes Today, September 18, 2006. 
 
ȱȱȱ
Řśȱ
ȱȱ¡ȱDZȱŗşŞşȱȱŘŖŖŝȱ
ȱ
ȱȱȱ
 
Gregg A. Esenwein 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
ȱȱȱ
ŘŜȱ