<prompt> Human: So I just got a promotion and a raise, and I now make 38,912, which means instead of paying 12 I pay 22 in taxes, and I now make less money wooohooo!1. I have a 401k, If I make my contributions set to whatever percentage I need to, to lower my income to 38.699.99, the 401k I s pre tax, will this bump me down to to the lower tax bracket?2. If I just made got this raise now, I wont be breaking the 38700 mark this year, so will this effect my paycheck? Or in other words, when is the 12 vs 22 decided? Like is it all money up to 38700 is 12 than once you pass 38700 the tax on your weekly paychecks go up?3. This is more of a clarification, Say I have a write off, a home lets say, this lowers my total taxable income, so if my write off is 2000, and I been being taxed like the 22 tax bracket, than I have huge return at the end of the year?With the raise, I stopped all 401k contributions, as my fiance just got her full time job, which means she can cover some bills, that I have been covering for her, and I can pay off credit cards and make purchases for the house. I am obviously asking probing questions on how to properly adjust into the new tax bracket without losing take home pay. Maybe my questions are wrong or my understanding is, but I still need to know.Thanks,  <response>: or my understanding is, but I still need to know.Your understanding is wrong. Taxes are progressive, only the additional pay above 38700 will be taxed at the higher rate. In addition, due to exemptions and standard deduction, your adjusted income will be well below that threshold 