<prompt> Human: I am currently taxed at 1237; with my salary and am coming up on a year at my current job.I will be asking for a raise to either 38,000 or 42,000.Due to current tax brackets, I would take home 33,440 on a 38,000, but I would only take 32,760 home if I were making 42,000 a year.Is it worth having a lower salary in order to take home more money? Am I missing something here? EDIT:As SilliusSodus said, You are missing the fact that tax rates are marginal, not absolute. The higher tax rate only applies to your income above the higher tax rate level. You always take home more money by earning more money.  <response>: Thats not how that works. 