Where we live cost of living is extremely high (even in rural areas), but this is where tech jobs are. My fiance made more last year than the previous year, which put him at the bottom of the next bracket, & that's what screwed us. If I was working & made what I used to (& then married my fiance), we'd be paying 30k in base taxes, plus 28% on anything over a certain amount. Not to mention state taxes which won't be deductible if the current plan goes through. As it stands we pay 25% & still owe every year. I'm not saying he can't support us, I said pretty much the opposite. Getting ahead is the issue. Last year I made a paltry 1800 & filed as single, but I still had to pay in because I was doing contract work & was considered "self-employed."