Why do single people pay more federal taxes?

Single people often pay more federal taxes than married individuals due to the structure of the tax brackets and deductions. Many tax benefits, such as the standard deduction, are higher for married couples filing jointly, which can lower their overall taxable income. Additionally, single filers may find themselves in higher tax brackets at lower income levels compared to married couples, leading to a higher effective tax rate. This discrepancy can result in singles paying a larger proportion of their income in federal taxes.