Santini's new contract for $2023$ indicates the following compensation and benefits:

Santini is $54$ years old at the end of $2023.$ He is single and has no dependents. Assume that the employer matches $\backslash (\backslash$$ $1\backslash )$ for $\backslash (\backslash$$ $1\backslash )$ for the first $\backslash (\backslash$$ $6,000\backslash )$ that the employee contributes to his $\backslash (401(\backslash$mathrm$\{$k$\})\backslash )$ during the year. The restricted stock grant is $500$ shares granted when the market price was $\backslash (\backslash$$ $5\backslash )$ per share. Assume that the stock vests on December $31,2023,$ and that the market price on that date is $\backslash (\backslash$$ $7\mathrm{.}50\backslash )$ per share. Also assume that Santini is willing to make any elections to reduce equity$-$based compensation taxes. The Hawaii trip was given to him as the outstanding salesperson for $2022.$ The group$-$term life policy gives him $\backslash (\backslash$$ $150,000\backslash )$ of coverage. Assume that Santini does not itemize deductions for the year.

Determine Santini's taxable income and income tax liability for $2023.$ Use Tax rate schedules and Exhibit $12-8.$

Note: Round your answers to the nearest whole dollar amount.

Answer is complete but not entirely correct.