I think the perception that bonuses are taxed higher is because on the paycheck they appear, they are taxed at that time as if you made that amount every pay period...so if it moves you up to a higher incremental bracket you'd see it taxed more heavily on the paycheck...but it is true that IN THE END it's taxed as ordinary income.
My explanation may not be clear, so let me try it this way. Let's say your "normal" check is $5,000 a month, and you pay $1,000 taxes...or 20%. Now let's say you get a bonus check for $50,000 all at once. The taxes would be more than $10,000 (20%) ON THE PAYCHECK, but at the end of the year your tax rate would end up being close to 20% (maybe not exactly 20% if the bonus put you in the next higher bracket).
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