A consequence of the current tax system which results in most married people...
Occurs when a couple filing joint returns experiences a greater tax liability than they would have if each of the two people were to file as single individuals; results from provisions throughout the federal income tax code designed to tax household income-whether the household consists of a married couple filing jointly or a single individual.
A tax that has the effect of penalizing a married couple because they pay more tax on a joint tax return than they would if they file tax returns individually.
The many provisions in the tax code that cause married couples to pay more in taxes than they would pay if they were single and living together. Graduated tax rates account for the largest share of the marriage penalty.
The difference between the combined tax liability of a married couple filing a joint return and the sum of the tax on each individual computed as if they filed returns as single individuals. This penalty is gradually being phased out over several years under the provisions of EGTRRA.
A consequence of the current tax system that results in most married couples collectively paying more in income taxes, whether they file jointly or separately, than they would if they weren't married. You thought this had to do with suffering through another evening at home instead of going out after work with friends
The marriage penalty in the United States refers to the higher taxes required from some married couples, where spouses are making approximately the same taxable income, filing one tax return ("married filing jointly") than for the same two people filing two separate tax returns (as single, not "married filing separately"). The percentage of couples affected has varied over the years, depending on shifts in tax rates.
