Many people have argued that an income tax should beâ "marriage neutral," thatâ is, two people should pay the same total tax whether they are married or they are single. Suppose Amanda earnsâ nothing, Ben earnsâ $60,000, and Cathy and Dylan each earnâ $30,000. They are all single. Amanda pays no tax because she has no income. If they all live in a country that has a progressive incomeâ tax, which will beâ higher: the tax that Ben pays or the sum of the taxes Cathy and Dylanâ pay? A. The sum of the taxes Cathy and Dylan pay because two people always pay more thanâ one, regardless of income.
B. Since Cathy andâ Dylan's income sums toâ $60,000, these individuals will likely pay the same amount as Ben.
C. The tax that Ben pays becauseâ high-income individuals pay higher income taxes.
D. More information is required to determine who pays the higher tax.