Chapter 20, Problem 5DQ

Many economists believe that a more effective way to supplement the income of the poor is through a negative income tax. Under this scheme, everyone reports his or her income to the government; individuals and families earning a higher income will pay a tax based on that income, while low-income individuals and families receive a subsidy, or negative tax. Assume that the only qualification required to receive a tax credit is low income. Suppose the government uses the following equation to compute a family’s tax liability: Taxes Owed = (1/4 of Income)−$6,000 For each of the incomes listed in the following table, determine the tax liability for a family with that income level. (Note: If a family receives a subsidy because its income is too low, be sure to indicate the tax liability as negative.) Income Tax Liability (Dollars per year) (Dollars per year) 0   12,000   24,000   60,000   True or False: Any family with an annual income more than…

Suppose you earned $60,000 per year and pay taxes based on marginal tax rates. The first tax bracket which taxes at 10% ranges from zero dollars to $30,000. The second tax bracket which tax at 25% ranges from 30,001 to $120,000. How much will you pay in total taxes?

The table shows the distribution of market income. Suppose that the government redistributes income by taxing the 60 percent of households with the highest market incomes 10 percent, then distributing the tax collected as an equal benefit to the 40 percent with the lowest market income. If the people whose market incomes are taxed cut their work hours and their market incomes fall by 10 percent, what is the distribution of income after taxes and benefits? Complete the table to show the new distribution of income. (Ignore any cost of administrating the redistribution scheme.) >>> Answer to 1 decimal place. Search Households Lowest 20 percent Second 20 percent Third 20 percent Fourth 20 percent Highest 20 percent Market income (millions of dollars) 5 9 20 30 36 Income after tax and benef (percentage of tc income after ta and benefits) Next