Mastering your tax liability

[UNITED STATES] Tax liability is a fundamental concept in personal finance that every income-earning individual should understand. Simply put, your tax liability is the total amount of taxes you owe to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or your state government for a given tax year. This financial obligation is determined by various factors, including your earnings, filing status, deductions, and credits.

Your tax liability is the amount you owe to the Internal Revenue Service or your local government. If you total up all of your earnings in a year and compare them to your tax bracket, you'll probably come up with a bigger number than what you're actually accountable for paying. The tax code contains a number of deductions and credits that minimize the amount you actually pay.

Understanding your tax liability is crucial for several reasons. It helps you make informed financial decisions, avoid over- or under-leveraging your income, and plan for your future financial obligations. For business owners, being aware of available deductions can lead to more strategic investments in growing their business, knowing that some costs may be offset later.

Types of Tax Liabilities

Federal Income Tax Liability

The United States employs a progressive tax system, meaning that different portions of your income are taxed at increasingly higher rates as your total income rises. The federal income tax is the primary source of revenue for the U.S. government and is based on your taxable income.

Your federal income tax liability is calculated using tax brackets, which vary depending on your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.). For example, the 2024 tax brackets for single filers are as follows:

• 10% for income up to $11,600
• 12% for income between $11,601 and $47,150
• 22% for income between $47,151 and $100,525
• 24% for income between $100,526 and $191,950
• 32% for income between $191,951 and $243,725
• 35% for income between $243,726 and $609,350
• 37% for income over $609,350

It's important to note that these brackets are adjusted annually for inflation.

State and Local Tax Liability

In addition to federal taxes, most Americans are also responsible for state and local taxes. State governments impose income taxes in one of two ways: a flat tax or a graduated/progressive tax. Some states, like California, Hawaii, and New York, have high income tax rates with graduated systems, while others have no income tax at all.

In Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, there is no income tax or tax on W-2 income.

Payroll Tax Liability

Payroll taxes are another significant component of your overall tax liability. These taxes fund Social Security and Medicare and are collected directly from employees' paychecks. In 2024, the combined rate for these taxes is 7.65% of an employee's earnings, with an equal amount contributed by the employer.

For Social Security, the tax rate is 6.2% on the first $168,600 of earnings in 2024. Medicare tax is 1.45% on all earnings, with an additional 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Self-Employment Tax Liability

Self-employed individuals face a unique tax situation. They are responsible for both the employee and employer portions of payroll taxes, resulting in a combined rate of 15.3% on the first $168,600 of earnings in 2024. However, self-employed taxpayers can deduct half of this tax (the employer's portion) when calculating their adjusted gross income.

Property Tax Liability

Homeowners are subject to property taxes, which are typically calculated as a percentage of a home's value. These taxes may be levied by state, county, or city governments, or a combination of all three, depending on your location.

Sales and Use Tax Liability

While consumers pay sales tax on purchased items, it's the retailers who are responsible for charging and remitting these taxes to the appropriate authorities. Sales tax rates vary by state and locality, with some states exempting certain goods and services from sales tax.

Calculating Your Tax Liability

Determining Taxable Income

To estimate your tax liability, start by adding up all your income for the year. Then, subtract any applicable deductions to arrive at your adjusted gross income (AGI). From there, you can either take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions, whichever is higher. The result is your taxable income, which is used to determine your tax liability.

Business Insider provides an example: Say you're a single filer with taxable income of $75,000 for 2024. Your top tax rate will be 22%, but not all of your income will be taxed at that rate. Here's how it breaks down when you apply the tax tables:

10% tax on the first $11,600 = $1,160

12% tax on the next $35,550 = $4,266

22% tax on the next $27,849 = $6,126.78

Total tax liability: $11,552.78

Applying Tax Credits

After calculating your initial tax liability, you can apply any tax credits for which you qualify. Unlike deductions, which reduce your taxable income, credits directly reduce your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Some credits are even refundable, meaning you can receive the excess as a refund if the credit exceeds your tax liability.

Managing Your Tax Liability

Strategies to Reduce Tax Liability

There are several strategies you can employ to manage and potentially reduce your tax liability:

Maximize deductions: Take advantage of all available deductions, such as contributions to retirement accounts, charitable donations, and mortgage interest payments.

Utilize tax credits: Research and claim all applicable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.

Adjust your withholdings: Regularly review and update your W-4 form to ensure the correct amount is being withheld from your paychecks.

Tax-loss harvesting: If you have investments, consider selling underperforming assets to offset gains and reduce your overall tax liability.

Contribute to tax-advantaged accounts: Maximize contributions to accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs to reduce your taxable income.

Paying Your Taxes

If you're employed, your employer typically withholds taxes from your paycheck based on the information you provide on your W-4 form. Self-employed individuals, on the other hand, are responsible for making quarterly estimated tax payments.

If you find that you owe additional taxes when filing your return, it's crucial to pay the outstanding amount by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties and interest. If you can't pay in full, the IRS offers various payment plans and options to help you meet your tax obligations.

Handling Audits and Disputes

While audits are relatively rare, it's important to be prepared. The IRS can audit returns from the past three years (or more in cases of substantial errors or fraud). If you're audited, you have the right to dispute the IRS's findings and seek representation if necessary.

Understanding your tax liability is a crucial aspect of managing your personal finances effectively. By familiarizing yourself with the various types of taxes, how they're calculated, and strategies to manage your tax burden, you can make more informed financial decisions and potentially reduce your overall tax liability.

Remember that tax laws and regulations can change from year to year, so it's important to stay informed or consult with a tax professional to ensure you're making the most of available deductions and credits while meeting your tax obligations.