by 
The Curious Bag
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The amount of federal taxes that you pay depends on how much money you make because the federal income tax is a progressive tax.
Function
The progressive tax system charges a higher tax rate for higher incomes. As of 2009, the highest tax bracket is 35 percent.
Filing Status
The tax brackets vary based on your filing status. For example, in 2009 if you are single the first $8,350 of income is taxed at 10 percent, while if you are married filing jointly the first $16,700 is taxed at 10 percent.
Features
The federal income tax allows for a number of tax deductions, which reduce your taxable income, and tax credits, which reduce the amount of taxes you owe, for a variety of expenses you may incur during the year such as college tuition, retirement contributions and mortgage interest.
Considerations
Federal taxes cover all income you earn, regardless of whether it is earned legally or illegally. The change was made in 1916 when "lawful" income was dropped from the tax code.
Fun Fact
President Franklin Roosevelt attempted to impose a 100 percent income tax on incomes over $25,000, but his executive order was quickly overturned by Congress.
Source:
U.S. Treasury: Fact Sheet on the History of the U.S. Tax System
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