Who pays the most income tax in the world?

3. Denmark
Highest income tax rate: 55.4%
Average 2010 income: $64,000

Denmark’s top marginal rate has come down from 62.3 percent in 2008 to 55.4 percent today after the government reached a deal to cut taxes worth $4.8 billion in 2009 to boost the economy. But the country still has the world's third-highest income tax rate.

Denmark’s current top tax rate kicks in at $76,000. Dividend income and capital gains are generally taxed between 28 ... more 

3. Denmark
Highest income tax rate: 55.4%
Average 2010 income: $64,000

Denmark’s top marginal rate has come down from 62.3 percent in 2008 to 55.4 percent today after the government reached a deal to cut taxes worth $4.8 billion in 2009 to boost the economy. But the country still has the world's third-highest income tax rate.

Denmark’s current top tax rate kicks in at $76,000. Dividend income and capital gains are generally taxed between 28 percent and 42 percent, while some share types can be taxed at rates up to 51.5 percent. Members of the Danish church are also liable to a tax of 0.4 percent to 1.5 percent. Other notable taxes include a real estate tax of between 1 percent and 3 percent of a property’s value, while gifts to close relatives over a certain threshold are subject to a 15 percent tax.

Denmark has gradually decreased the tax and social security burden on incomes over the last decade, according to the OECD. The tax wedge, which is income tax as a percentage of total labor costs, decreased for all families as a result of tax cuts implemented from 2000 to 2011. Single Danes with average-to-high income have benefited the most from the tax cuts.

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