Tax tables are a key part of income taxation. They make it easier for taxpayers to figure out how much tax they owe each year. By effectively translating income levels into brackets of tax liability, these tables can help those who are filing their returns figure out their total tax liability.

Tax tables provide information about the marginal tax rate imposed on each income level. This rate is the percentage at which each dollar of income earned is taxed. It is also referred to as a marginal tax bracket. The marginal tax rate does not necessarily apply to the total income; instead, it's applied to the additional income above a certain level.

The IRS updates tax tables annually and taxpayers can find the tables applicable to the current tax year on the IRS website or in the instructions for their tax forms. Taxpayers may also find their specific bracket in the tax table for their filing status.

The primary way that tax tables are used is to find the tax amount due at a given income level. This can be done either by calculating the difference between income levels or by finding the tax amount listed in the tax table. Tax tables are also used to help calculate the amount of tax that can be deducted from wages or other income sources. This is usually done by subtracting the tax amount listed in the tax table from the wages earned.

Tax tables can also be used to calculate the amount of estimated taxes taxpayers must pay during a tax year. By inputting their expected income level and filing status in the tax tables, taxpayers can find the estimated tax due. Taxpayers who don't pay the amount indicated by the tax table may be subject to penalties.

Overall, tax tables make filing taxes much easier for taxpayers. By providing information about marginal tax rate, tax owed on income and estimated taxes needed to be paid, tax tables can make filing much simpler. Taxpayers can find the tables applicable to the current tax year on the IRS website or in the instructions for their tax forms. Taxpayers can also use online tax calculators to help them better understand their taxes.