Progressive tax rate is a taxation system which uses increase in the tax rate with increase in the taxable income. It is a taxation system used by governments in order to ensure that taxpayers with higher income pay greater proportion of tax on their income. The increase in the tax rate could be gradual or sudden depending on the type of tax. This system is being used not only in developed countries like United States, United Kingdom and Canada but also in developing countries like India and China.
The progressive tax system is based on the principle of ability to pay. It believes that a person should pay more tax proportional to their income. This system states that the taxpayers at lower income level should pay lesser tax. Higher income people should pay more taxes. This creates a gradual progressive rise in taxation. The thresholds on which different rate of taxation is to be levied is based on the socio-economic environment in the particular country.
Thus, the progressive tax rate can be best described as a system of taxation which increases the rate of tax as the taxable income increases. This system is used to reduce inequality and create economic justice in a nation. It is a form of progressive taxation as the higher earners tax contributions increase to pay for programs and services available to the citizens. The concept of progressive taxation can be seen in the form of rate structures in direct taxes, like personal income tax, corporation tax or estate taxes, or it can be seen in indirect taxes like the value-added tax, tariffs or customs duties.
The progressive tax rate increases the taxable income threshold for consecutive brackets of income. This means that the percentile rate or tax rate for the higher earners increases with each higher bracket. Maximum marginal tax rate is the highest rate of tax applied on the highest income level. Thus, a progressive tax rate is generally associated with higher marginal tax rate applicable to higher earners.
Generally, governments have chosen progressive tax rate as the taxation system as it is more equitable than the flat tax rate. The flat tax rate sets the same rate of tax for all individuals within a particular income category. Thus, individuals with higher income are able to pay lesser proportion of tax relative to their income. The progressive tax rate helps in reducing the amount of inequality in society.
Additionally, the progressive tax rate system increases the total state revenue. This is due to the fact that higher earners contribute more taxes as compared to lower earners. This helps in generating more income for the state. This additional income can be used for public welfare programs. The progressive tax rate system allows the government to invest in programs like healthcare, education and social security.
The progressive tax rate system has its own limitations. One of the most commonly mentioned limitations is the impact that the increased marginal tax rate has on the decreasing incentives for high earners to work hard and try to earn more. By increasing the tax rate for higher income persons, the reward structure is distorted and ultimately hard work and determination to earn more is dampened. Increased tax rates are also detrimental to savings and investments as it reduces the incentive for high earners to save for future benefits.
Despite this, progressive tax rate is the best form of taxation system available. It helps to improve the unequal distribution of wealth in the society and generates revenue for public welfare programs. In the end, it helps to build a stronger and more equitable society.