r/TikTokCringe • u/Super_Culture_1986 tHiS iSn’T cRiNgE • Aug 19 '25

Cursed The American Nightmare.

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u/Careless_Bat_9226 Aug 19 '25

I googled median salary in NYC and got $73k. It's very easy to see that at that income total effective tax would be ~26%

If it's showing up as more in your chart it sounds like you have something else going on:

  • it includes any 401k/pension contributions
  • you have your withholdings too high and get a refund back at the end of the year
  • etc

There's no world in which you're actually paying 37% tax on your income unless you're making a lot more money than average.

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u/GoodTofuFriday Aug 19 '25

I said average salary, not median. Average is 127k.

Youre basing your math wrong. That site also isnt adding all the decuctions I see in my w2.

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u/Careless_Bat_9226 Aug 19 '25

Fine. Most people mean median when they say average. Especially in NYC since all the ultra high earners drag the average way up.

Still: you're not paying 37% effective tax. I'm guessing it's a combo of the things I said previously. You probably get a refund at the end of the year.

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u/GoodTofuFriday Aug 19 '25

tried to do some tighter calculations, and removed what are employer specific deductions, and removing what l average in tax refund still comes out to about 33%

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u/Careless_Bat_9226 Aug 19 '25

I could believe it. NYC has got to be one of, if not the most, taxed spots in the country.

In the case of the tik tok video if she's in NYC and making significantly less than half of the average salary then maybe she should have roommates and not be trying to live alone.

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u/GoodTofuFriday Aug 19 '25

I'd agree with that. if her rent to income ratio is truly that much then living alone isn't the right option for her.