$25k in taxes on a $55k income? Where are you from? For a family in 2024, at the Federal level, the first $29,200 is untaxed because of the standard deduction.

$25k in taxes on a $55k income? Where are you from? For a family in 2024, at the Federal level, the first $29,200 is untaxed because of the standard deduction. The remainder would be taxed at 10-12%. Child tax credits can easily wipe that out and make the liability negative (i.e. you get all your tax withholdings refunded plus another couple thousand dollars). State income taxes will vary, but are typically lower than Federal income taxes. Many have no income tax.