During 2009, the Allens and the Zells both filed joint tax returns. For the tax year ended December 31, 2009, the Allens taxable income was $130,000, and the Zells had total taxable income of $65,000.

a.using the federal tax rates given in Table 1.1 (page 9 in the textbook) for married couples filing joint returns, calculate the taxes for both the Allens and the Zells.

b.Calculate and compare the ratio of the Allens to the Zells taxable income and the ratio of the Allens to the Zells taxes. What does this demonstrate about the federal income tax structure?