Yes, your effective tax rate is always lower than your highest marginal tax rate. It is the average rate that you pay, not just your tax bracket. Your deductions and refundable tax credits reduce the percentage.
Once you arrive at your taxable income on line 15 of your 1040, as tagteam points out, there are a number of possible formulas to calculate the tax. The simplest one is to use the tax tables from the IRS.
If you look at line 16, you will see three check boxes for alternate methods. If none of them are checked, you can just use the tax tables.
- If the box for Form 8814, is checked, you have an adjustment on that form and you will need to check there to see the calculation.
- If the box for Form 4972, is checked, you have an adjustment on that form and you will need to check there to see the calculation.
- If the third box is checked, another method was used. The most common of these is the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet. If you have qualified dividends, capital gains, or a capital gains distribution on your return check the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet for the calculation.
This tax calculation is before any self-employment tax and tax credits. If you check lines 19, 20, 23 and 32 you may see other adjustments to your tax due.
If you have more questions, because your situation isn't covered here, please respond back to this thread.
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