What is the Marriage Tax Penalty / Bonus?
When two people get married, their tax situation can change significantly. Sometimes marriage results in paying **more** tax than if they stayed single (Marriage Penalty). Other times, they pay **less** tax (Marriage Bonus).
When Marriage Usually Creates a Bonus
- One spouse earns significantly more than the other (income disparity)
- One spouse has little or no income
- You qualify for credits or deductions only available to married couples
When Marriage Often Creates a Penalty
- Both spouses have high, similar incomes
- You lose eligibility for certain tax credits that phase out at higher joint income levels
- You are pushed into higher tax brackets when combining incomes
How This Calculator Works
Single Filing: Calculates tax for each person as if they were single, then adds them together.
Married Filing Jointly: Combines both incomes and applies the more favorable married tax brackets and standard deduction.
The difference shows whether marriage helps or hurts your tax situation.