Your numbers aren't quite right. The first $6000 of income is the standard deduction and is taxed at 0%. Then, the next $10,000 is taxed at 10%, and the remain

Your numbers aren't quite right. The first $6000 of income is the standard deduction and is taxed at 0%. Then, the next $10,000 is taxed at 10%, and the remainder up to the next $30,000 is taxed at 15%. You have substantially overstated the amount of taxes this hypothetical person is paying. And that's not taking into account that they probably qualify for the earned income tax credit.