Requesting a salary can be a very awkward conversation to have during the interview process. First, you don’t want to request a salary lower than they are willing to pay, but then you don’t want to ask for so much that they think you are now not right for the position.

Generally an entry level position starts off from 30-35k. If your position offers you 35K-Congrats–BUT ASK FOR A LITTLE LESS!! I’m sure you are questioning why you would ever ask for less money, but here is why-tax brackets…

Let’s take a look:

2011 Federal Tax Tables

Federal Income Tax

SINGLE

RATE

JOINT

RATE

$0 – $8,500

10.00%

$0 – $17,000

10.00%

$8,501- $34,500

15.00%

$17,001 – $69,000

15.00%

$34,501- $83,600

25.00%

$69,001- $139,350

25.00%

$83,601- $174,400

28.00%

$139,351- $212,300

28.00%

$174,401 – $379,150

33.00%

$212,301- $379,150

33.00%

$379,151 & OVER

35.00%

$379,151 & OVER

35.00%

As you can see from above There is a 10% tax difference from a salary of $34,500 and $35,000. If you were to ask for $34,500, you would be paying $5,175 in Federal Tax. If you were making $35,000 you would be paying $8,750 in Federal Tax. You could be saving $3,575 if you just asked for $500 less in your salary. That makes a BIG difference. So when an employer ask for desired salary say $34,500!!