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"What are tax brackets and how do they affect my taxes?"

Tax brackets are a method used by the government to determine the amount of income tax that an individual or business owes. Tax brackets are structured in such a way that taxpayers who earn more will pay a higher tax rate than those who earn less.

The United States operates under a progressive tax system, which means that people with a higher income pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than those with lower incomes. The current tax brackets in the United States consist of seven different levels, ranging from 10% to 37%.

The tax bracket that an individual or business falls into depends on their taxable income, which is the amount of income they earn after deductions and exemptions. The tax rate for each bracket applies only to the amount of income within that particular bracket. For example, if an individual has a taxable income of $50,000, they would pay a 10% rate on the first $9,950, a 12% rate on the income between $9,951 and $40,525, and a 22% rate on the income between $40,526 and $50,000.

It's important to note that not all income is taxed at the same rate. Certain types of income, like capital gains and dividends, are taxed at different rates than regular income. Additionally, there are deductions and credits available that can lower an individual or business's taxable income.

If you're filing your taxes and are unsure what tax bracket you fall into, you can use a tax calculator or work with a tax professional to determine your taxable income and appropriate tax rate. It's also important to keep track of any deductions or credits that you may be eligible for in order to lower your overall tax bill.