Two factors create inequalities between the amount of tax paid on the same total amount of income earned by a single person, two (or more) unmarried people, and a married couple. First, the current U.S. income tax structure is progressive: higher incomes are taxed at higher rates than lower incomes.

Why do single filers pay more taxes?

If your income level fluctuates from year to year, you may find yourself paying more than you expect at tax time. That's because when you have higher income, your income may be bumped into another tax bracket, causing you to pay higher tax rates at upper levels of income.

Do Singles pay higher taxes?

Why do singles pay more taxes? The reality is that there is never a single person's tax break. That is, a single person never pays less in taxes relative to a married couple with the same amount of income as the single person.