As of 2019, you’ll pay only 10% on income up to $9,700 if you’re single. Then you’ll pay 12% on the portion of your income from $9,701 up to $39,475. The balance of your income—$20,525 in the example of $60,000 in overall taxable income—is what’s taxed at that 22% rate. 1 22% is your “marginal” tax rate. There are seven federal tax brackets for the 2019 tax year: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. Your bracket depends on your taxable income and filing status. These… Effective Tax Rate: In simple terms, this is the average tax rate you pay. It takes into account the reality that our tax system is progressive, which means that those with higher income pay a higher rate. Tax rates are applied through a five-tier setup that starts at 10 percent (for those who make less than $9,276)