During 2012, the Smiths and the Jones both filed joint tax returns. The Smiths' taxable income was $137,000, and the Jones had total taxable income of $68,500 for the tax year ended December 31, 2012

.a. Using the federal tax rates given in Table 1.2 for married couples filing joint returns, calculate the taxes for both the Smiths and the Jones

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

Taxable Income Tax Rates Joint Returns 10% $0 to $17,400 15% $17,401 to $70,700 25% $70,701 to $142,700 28% $142,701 to $217,450 33% $217,451 to $388,350 35% Over $388,350