Public conceptThe return map
Filing status
A return category that selects the deduction, rate schedules, and several thresholds.
In one sentence
Filing status chooses the structural rules used by the estimate.
Model
filing status → deduction + brackets + thresholds
Worked example
The same income can produce a different estimate under single and married-filing-jointly schedules because their deductions and bracket widths differ.
What to notice
Follow this mechanism in a related lesson, where the same calculator engine exposes every intermediate value.
Common misconception
Filing status is not a preference switch. Eligibility depends on facts that this estimator does not determine.
See it in motion