Tax rate

[Rebelhut]

Finished my Federal tax calc.  Taxable income went up $13,000 from last year.  Tax went up $8,300 from last year.  That can't be right!

[AamilD]

It depends. There are lot of factors involved including your filing state ( single , married etc) , your income level since you may have moved on to a higher tax bracket. As your income grows you move to a higher tax bracket which can cause some difference.

It is also possible that last year you may be getting an earned income credit which is no longer being applied to you since your income went up. 

It is also possible that you had different credits available last year like Child Tax Credit, Dependent Care Credit or other credits which you may not be eligible for this year.

I am attaching the Earned Income Credit and Taxable Income Brackets images below for your reference.

Additionally, You can view your return or just your 1040 form before you e-file to make sure the numbers which are being used for calculation seem reasonable.

Please follow the steps below:

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Select Tax Tools in the left menu (if you don't see this, select the menu icon in the upper-left corner).
3. With the Tax Tools menu open, you can then:
   • Preview your entire return: Select Print Center and then Print, Save, or Preview This Year's Return (you may be asked to register or pay first).
   • View only your 1040 form: Select Tools. Next, select View Tax Summary in the pop-up, then Preview my 1040 in the left menu. This option is free and you can Preview your return before you file.

Additionally, please visit Preview Tax Return before E-Filing , for more information.

[Rebelhut]

Good information.

I have only Social Security income plus capital gains.  Investments have done very well the past two years so increased income is entirely capital gains and Required IRA distributions.  And yes, I tipped into the 24% tax bracket from last year.

[VolvoGirl]

Is your question answered?  If you have more income like from investments that can make more of your Social Security taxable.

Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches:

Married Filing Jointly: $32,000

Single or head of household: $25,000

Married Filing Separately: 0

To see the Social Security Benefits Calculation Worksheet  in Turbo Tax Online version you would have to save your return with all the worksheets to your computer.   Or if you are using the Desktop CD/Download Software you can switch to Forms Mode (click Forms in the upper right) and click on SS in the list on the left side.