Taxes were a big deal in this election season. “The other guy wants to raise them while I want to lower them,” the ads said. No matter what their convictions, nobody’s saying that taxes are at the right level, and I’d like to catch a glimpse of the politician who’s suicidally courageous enough to say that they’re too low. Aren’t taxes in the United States some of the lowest in the industrialized world? Compared to other countries, are we getting our money’s worth?
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You’re right that U.S. taxes are low compared to other developed nations. Check out the following charts, put together by Straight Dope Science Advisory Board member Sam, a partner at a major U.S. consulting firm specializing in employee compensation. (Monetary amounts in U.S. dollars, exchange rates as of January 1, 2000.)
Income Tax Rates
Germany 51% $112,000 16.5% $50,300
Sweden 60% $42,000 7% $34,000
Married Married, 2 kids
Hong Kong 98% 90% 99% 91%
