The tax tables work in $50 ranges (when the total of all taxable income is over $3000)
Any change within that $50 range doesn't change the taxes assessed....while a jump to the next range will increase yoru tax
so
a) if your current taxable income is at the bottom of a $50 range, an added (say) $48 may do nothing...while
b) if you are near the next $50 break point, then an added $1 or $2 may push you into the next tax block...jumping your tax $12 (depends exactly where you are in the tables).
Essentially you actually saw $12 tax for a ~$50 change (~24% since some of the $50 was already waiting in there)
____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
