Plus SSI (6%, if you're employed and your employer pays the other 6%, but it's 12% if you're self-employed), plus state taxes (amounts differ, but they run from 13% at the high end for CA to 0 for several Red states - most of which run deficits or cut essential services like state road repairs, public hospitals, fire, ambulance, etc), plus state, county and city sales taxes (which can be as much as an extra 15% or more depending on the county or city).
That total can be upwards of 50% OR MORE of someone's annual income going to the feds, state, county or city. And that ONLY applies to the middle-income bracket. The poor see far more of their disposable income go to taxes by proportion than any other income bracket.
You don't really get "tax code" do you? It's not just ONE source adding to the headaches. It's multiple sources. Even if you're well under the federal taxable income level, you're still kicking out taxes that can take up to 25% out of your remaining income and EVERYONE pays the 12% (in total) for SSI if they have ANY income (because there is no minimum income level that isn't taxed by that).
This is largely why "death and taxes" are the two things one can't avoid in life.
