income tax

Ivory Coast levies a top marginal personal income tax rate of 60% — the highest statutory rate in the world. Denmark (57%), Austria (55%), and Sweden (52%) follow among the wealthy nations that combine high rates with extensive public services. The United States tops out at 37% federally, though state taxes push effective top rates higher in California and New York. This ranking covers the top countries by statutory top marginal rate, with methodology, caveats, and what the numbers actually mean for workers.

The basics of US personal income tax are simpler than they look. Here is how brackets, deductions, credits, payroll taxes, and retirement accounts fit together, with worked numbers.