All Episodes

April 22, 2025 20 mins

Has calculating your income tax rate in the past been overwhelming?

Today, I’m going to discuss the complexities of income tax rates, particularly for self-employed individuals. I explain the progressive tax system, the difference between marginal and average tax rates, and provide practical tips for calculating taxes accurately. The conversation aims to demystify tax calculations and empower listeners with knowledge to manage their finances effectively.

Join me in this episode to hear some tips on estimating your income tax rate and how you can avoid errors when calculating your income tax. 

 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

  • 00:00 Understanding Income Tax Rates

  • 09:33 The Progressive Tax System Explained

  • 11:58 Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rates

  • 17:04 Calculating Your Taxes Accurately

  • 23:20 Final Thoughts and Resources


Takeaways:

  • People confuse marginal tax rates with their actual tax rate.
  • Income tax calculations are more complex than they seem.
  • Self-employment tax is a flat rate of 15.3%.
  • Estimating tax rates requires guessing due to timing.
  • Graduated income tax means different rates apply to different income slices.
  • Both low and high earners pay zero tax on the first $11,000.
  • Marginal tax rates only apply to the last dollar earned.
  • Average tax rates provide a more accurate tax estimate.
  • Online calculators can simplify tax calculations.

 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 
Every review makes a big difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight podcast to new audiences.

 

Links:

Get your FREE Deductions Guide

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.