How Often Are Heavily-Taxed Countries Considered Thriving? [GRAPHIC]

With a marginal income tax rate of over forty percent, the U.S. comes in as the fifteenth most heavily-taxed nation in the world, according to an infographic by TurboTax.

The actual percentage paid out by corporations appears to be substantially lower though, considering that even though the country's listed federal corporate tax rate is 35 percent, it only takes in roughly 23 percent, as recently pointed out by former President Bill Clinton.

One of the two countries where the gap between the rich and the poor widened most in the past decade, Sweden, is ranked as the most highly-taxed country, with a income tax rate of 56.5 percent.

Of the 15 nations with the highest tax rates, 8 also are listed among the 15 most thriving countries, according to Gallup. Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Japan and Austria all failed to make the cut, and it was only Austria that had a thriving majority.

Editor's note: Some of the icons below don't correctly reflect the country's flag. The country names are correct.

See the infographic here:

Comments

[babyspittle]

01:36 PM on 08/08/2011

This chart is pretty, but complete BS.

Nobody pays the top marginal rate - millionaires and billionaire's are taxes at around 17%, not the closer to 40%.
They pay a smaller share of their income than the middle class does.

Same thing with the corporate tax rates.
The only ones paying that rate is the small mom and pops doing their own taxes.

The entire chart is BS.

[howtowasteyourlife]

08:27 AM on 08/11/2011

That's according to the US tax system, which is full of loopholes. Are you certain that every other country on this list has those same loopholes?

[Jack Glastra]

12:37 PM on 08/08/2011

Yet we still refuse to return our tax rates to pre-Bush-calamity levels. Why haven't Bush's tax cuts created the economy he promised? Wasn't economic growth the reason the taxes were cut to begin with?

[Flacracker]

11:12 AM on 08/08/2011

Nice to know that our investments in European nations after WW2 was money well spent. Now that it is payback time all we get are credit downgrades from S & P. What a deal.

[jwalter]

03:04 AM on 08/08/2011

Most of, if not all, of these countries are in worse fiscal shape than we are.

[Maarten Wentink]

12:53 PM on 08/08/2011

Debt as a % of GDP

Autralia 22.4% - Low unemployment
Canada 34% - no housing buble
Denmark 46.6 - And budget surplus
Germany 78.8% - Is bailing out other countries after absobring Eastern Germany
Holland 64.6% - low unemployment
Norway 47.7% - very low unemployment

Here, read the rest yourself. And next time do some research before you make a comment like that.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/06/aaa-credit-rating-countries-list-top-level_n_920211.html#s323870&title=Norway

[jwalter]

02:37 PM on 08/08/2011

Maybe they should police the world then.
Funny you should bring up the housing bubble that was directly caused by our Federal Government.
Joining the Euro is by far the worst mistake Germany has made since WWII.

[Coyote50]

07:12 PM on 08/08/2011

Thank you Maarten - fanned! Amazing how a lot of Americans know NOTHING about Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, but they THINK they do. The commitment of a lot of these countries to keeping people employed throughout the recession was an inspiration. Too bad the GOP-Tvangelicals kept us from having a true stimulus so that we wouldn't have so many unemployed people.

[moutonnoir]

11:13 PM on 08/07/2011

We are all Crispus Attucks...

Britain is not the enemy - now it is the multinational companies, and our own leadership.

[pmcsmark11]

06:21 PM on 08/07/2011

I have decided that I am converting to the terrorist Tea party. I really mean that. Really! Their conclusions are correct although the logic of how they came to them is somewhat bewildering. Last Friday I came to realize that our egghead president who I voted for is easily out maneuvered by a group of 30 people whose collective IQ score is most likely below 2000. This guy plays a winning hand like he's holding a pair of deuces. I can't support him, I can't defend him, Mr. President you have failed me and the American People. Some people think that because I'm not a republican I must be a Democrat. Let me set the record. The magnitude of distain I hold for both parties is equal. Both Ideologies are complete failures. Either sides ideology and policies will eventually cause the collapse of American Society. They both will say yes and they are both correct. Here is how I see things. I think we need a reset. The democrats don’t much care about winning. They seem to play to lose. In a contest were they have a clear advantage they will walk off the field. What is that about? They play the game to win the game. We need a leadership that is willing to do what it take to get the job completed not run back to third base when it’s two steps from home plate. Humm.

[pmcsmark11]

06:23 PM on 08/07/2011

Ask any republican or ask any democrat if they the other side ideology and policies will eventually cause the collapse of this American Society. They both will say yes and they are both correct.

[pmcsmark11]

06:27 PM on 08/07/2011

The Tea Party plays the game to win the game.

[Ethan Reynolds]

07:22 PM on 08/07/2011

Regardless of how much damage it does to the playing field.

[pinkindie]

11:38 AM on 08/08/2011

And no one will be left standing in the end. Wow, winning.

[moutonnoir]

06:14 PM on 08/07/2011

the US corporatio­ns dont pay this rate - ever. never - they pay 15 and 18% on their capital gains income, their giant mega-rich corporatio­ns hide and shuffle profits to constantly be showing losses and actually get refunds.. etc. etc.

the charts are based on the 'by the books' number.s. meanwhile the headlines are full of revelation­s like "GE pays zero tax" "Google pays 1% tax" "warren buffer pays less than 18% income tax", and so on.

[cam1002]

09:55 PM on 08/07/2011

Absolutely correct. F&F

[Jack Glastra]

12:33 PM on 08/08/2011

Not only do they pay no taxes, but they indeed file for returns. Taxed to death? I say get the guillotine ready!

[Ron Dernick]

05:35 PM on 08/07/2011

All I know is that as a USA citizen I'd be better off in Denmark where paying 8-9% more in taxes would take care of all medical and health care costs..all college tuition as long as I or my kids qualify to get into college..they also have technical colleges and other perks..I'm getting less for what I pay in the USA and corporations and the top 1% are getting a better deal..plutocracy..socialism looks good..and by the way..Denmark has been rated the happiest country a few years on a roll now..

[Michael LoCascio]

05:58 PM on 08/07/2011

Move there! I promise, we will not miss you.

[moutonnoir]

06:15 PM on 08/07/2011

or, how about we change our system to have the positive attributes of other systems?

love it or leave it is NOT patriotism - it is PAROTTISM

[aosborneh2o]

11:57 AM on 08/08/2011

Aye, no sense in having the US learn anything from someone else, huh?

[moutonnoir]

06:15 PM on 08/07/2011

in canada we can get healthcare, eduction, and pension for like 3% more!

in britain it like 5% more...

[LunaPark]

04:12 AM on 08/07/2011

Wow, the US really does have one of the highest corporate income tax rates in the world as shown by the graphs. So Cisco CEO was correct when he complained on 60 Minutes about the staggering tax burden as the reason he moved 100,000 jobs overseas.

[moutonnoir]

04:38 AM on 08/07/2011

absolutely not... the US corporations dont pay this rate - ever. never - they pay 15 and 18% on their capital gains income, their giant mega-rich corporations hide and shuffle profits to constantly be showing losses and actually get refunds.. etc. etc.

the charts are based on the 'by the books' number.s. meanwhile the headlines are full of revelations like "GE pays zero tax" "Google pays 1% tax" "warren buffer pays less than 18% income tax", and so on.

are you misinformed, or just trying to spread hollow and false ideology?

[Russ Kirk]

08:38 AM on 08/07/2011

Warren Buffet, like many of the rich, don't have or show much of any income. Many confuse their net worth, of which they have many ways to shelter from any taxes, as if it were some form of income. A flat tax like they have in Russia is the fairest tax.

[Michael LoCascio]

06:01 PM on 08/07/2011

Maybe you should write Obama. GE has him in their pocket...GE was one of his biggest contributors during 2008. Maybe we should start by breaking up the company you work for. So very fast to criticize until they come to your pockets.

[aosborneh2o]

11:58 AM on 08/08/2011

No, he was blatantly lying to serve his purpose. That is the book rate, not the actual rate they pay, which is FAR less than most of the countries on the list.

[Pharmachick]

01:55 AM on 08/07/2011

I call "humbug" on this study. Clearly, they didn't consider enough countries... for example i know FOR A FACT that New Zealand should come in above Australia in terms of tax burden. So let readers of studies always beware... make sure to look with a skeptical eye for any biases in the study's design (or authors - I would know, check out the moniker). LOL slightly junky, skewed science at its best.

[nkurland]

09:43 PM on 08/06/2011

Here's an equally relevant statistic: the effective tax rate in the U.S. (state local and federal combined) is just above that of Chile, Turkey and Mexico, ie, the least developed nations in the entire OECD.

[French Toast]

12:35 AM on 08/07/2011

I shout from a soapbox constantly about the effective tax rate.

[Viable Way]

03:49 PM on 09/22/2011

Do you also comment on the fact that in reality corporations never PAY taxes, they only COLLECT money from you and me to give to the government when they have to? Any money they do pay is usually VERY REGRESSIVE taxation that hides the EFFECTIVE TAX RATE of the poor.

[bgraceg]

06:24 PM on 08/07/2011

and sadly that statistic is another symptom of our sad decline. What country has ever obtained what most of us would agree on as a decent quality of life for the majority, with the income disparity the US has - and which is growing.

Also read recently that the country that has implemented the stated goals (minimal government except for military, extremely low taxes, the agreed upon god being acknowledged by the government, everyone armed, homosexual criminalized, abortion illegal, etc) of the extreme right is PAKISTAN.

[BeerLover]

07:00 PM on 08/06/2011

What a bunch of bull! LOL! So much detail left out...... and 53% of the US population "thriving"... yeah, if the definition of thriving is "hanging on".... then sure.

[Angela Selby]

12:31 AM on 08/07/2011

Really? Compared to other Countries you think we have it bad? Apparently you have enough money for beer! Go drink another one.

[PermanentVacancy]

09:36 AM on 08/07/2011

Yeah Angela, Really? America isn't number 1 anymore. What a freakin shock, eh? Why didn't you just add, "Go live somewhere else" like an elementary school kid............................................................................

[cam1002]

10:12 PM on 08/07/2011

Yeah, I think we rate somewhere around 25 compared to other countries. That means 24 of those other countries have a better standard of living.

[Francois Bergeron]

12:14 PM on 08/08/2011

that leaves 120 million people in the US who are not thriving.

[MoreFreedom]

06:15 PM on 08/06/2011

Instead of looking at "top statutory income tax rate" or "top-marginal all-in rate" why no just government spending divided by GDP? These hand picked metrics don't consider deductions, sales taxes, property taxes, fees and other costs of government. As the article is written, it's of little use as a guide the the best size of government.

[Viable Way]

03:53 PM on 09/22/2011

The problem with GDP is that I believe they consider EXPENSES (like health care and attorney fees) as PRODUCT of VALUE. I do not! I consider manufactured items and knowledge and FOOD as production. Do we really become a wealthier country when we spend a great deal of money on litigation and medical bills?

[frfredt]

05:36 PM on 08/06/2011

I see even with the facts slapping them in the face...the Tea Party Terrorists just wont admit that other countries have a better standard of living than we do and more of a national pride in their priorities of people first then profits. Greed does not rule those nations like Sweden and Norway they have evolved into a better society, into better people who seek no guile but only unity, solidarity and a peaceful life. Far cry from the diseased "perfect union" that we actually were at one time.

[MoreFreedom]

06:32 PM on 08/06/2011

I'm a tea party guy and agree that the standard of living in many other countries is reasonable. There are good and bad slide to all countries, but I certainly wouldn't want to live in a not free country as rated by Freedom House.

Having lived abroad, if you think Sweden or Norway is so good, then go live there. One thing you'll find unique to the USA is that you are judged more on who you are as an individual. In almost all other countries you'll be judged (more some in some countries than in others) according to what groups you're a member of, and you'll be treated as an American foreigner, and likely not a member of any local group. Your race is also likely to matter more. But certainly don't consider moving to any Islamic country if you aren't Muslim, you'll likely be harmed.

[Kuuba]

08:55 PM on 08/06/2011

Your second paragraph makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Race matters almost EVERYWHERE still in this day and age.
Local groups? What? Elaborate.
Your ONLY point to support anything you said is your last statement about going to a Muslim nation if you're not a Muslim and that's just stating the obvious. lol

Try again?

[LeftyNeoCon]

12:48 AM on 08/07/2011

I'm relatively sure Sweden has a much more liberal and personal freedom stance then even America does. Zero gun control laws, in fact the Swedish have government officials come over to your house and try to find your guns. If they can find them they tell you to hide them again so they can't find them. This is a process that continues until you manage to hide it successfully.

[admiralj]

11:34 PM on 08/06/2011

Your exactly right, Fanned.
I would ignore "Morefreedom", the only freedom he understands, is restricted "to his definition of what those freedoms should be". Which is exactly the problem with the Tea Party people.

[gradyp]

04:10 PM on 08/06/2011

I see a gap in what various groups value. But because we never had to pay for all we received, we never clarified and prioritized. Hypothetically, it would be instructive to raise taxes to equal current spending levels. One thing for sure, everybody would be paying attention to spending legislation.

[Viable Way]

03:59 PM on 09/22/2011

You nailed it with not having to pay for what we have received, but the information has never been given to us. We do not KNOW how much of the price of a gallon of milk is subsidy or how much goes to the producer. We don't know how much of the cost of a can of soda goes to taxes and how much goes to the CEO. We don't know how much of a mess a business has made until the superfund is expected to pay for the cleanup!