Tax Bracket just a starting point use of available exemptions, credits , write offs,carry overs and the such determines actual tax basis.
Some folks start at 25% and because of their situation pretty much stay at 25%. Others may start at 25% and because of their situation,tax strategy etc have a tax basis of 10 % .
I appreciate and acknowledge the fact that my actual Tax basis while lower than many the actual Dollar amount in Taxes paid is higher than many. My Tax generating activities have also created more Jobs that generate additional taxes for the fed coffers. Something the "eat the rich" population of this country doesn't understand or just simply ignores.