Reply #3: it depends on what expires

[hfojvt]

in 2001 tax rates for singles were
15% on first $27,050
27.5% up to $65,550
30.5% up to $136,750
35.5% up to $297,350
39.1% for the rest

for married
15% on first $45,200
27.5% up to $109,250
30.5% up to $166,500
35.5% up to $297,350
39.1% for the rest


in 2008 tax rates for singles were
10% on first $8.025
15% up to $32,550
25% up to $78,850
28% up to $164,550
33% up to $357,700
35% for the rest

for married
10% on first $16,050
15% up to $65,100
25% up to $131,450
28% up to $200,300
33% up to $357,700
35% for the rest


So I get $2500 per $100,000 until after $357,700 when it is $4100 per $100,000. However, one of the other parts of the 2003 tax cuts was that dividends and capital gains are taxed at a 15% rate for high income people and at 5% for lower income people. To me, UNearned income should not be taxed at a lower rate than wages. Also, the difference between a 15% tax rate and a 39.1% tax rate for a member of the Walton family is $24,100 per $100,000. That's the part that really needs to expire now.