Which countries have the highest personal income tax rates?

Highest top personal rates

Top marginal personal income tax rates among major economies:

• Netherlands — 49.5%
• Portugal — 48%
• Spain — 47%
• Germany — 45%
• United Kingdom — 45%
• United States — 37% (federal, before state taxes)

Reading these numbers

A top marginal rate applies only to income above a high threshold, so few taxpayers pay it on their whole income. Effective rates are lower once allowances, bands and deductions are taken into account. The Netherlands’ 49.5% top rate and Portugal’s 48% sit at the upper end of the developed-world range.

These figures contrast sharply with no-income-tax jurisdictions such as the UAE and Monaco (both 0%) and low-rate territorial hubs like Hong Kong (16%) and Singapore (20%). High headline rates often fund extensive public services, so the headline number alone does not capture the full picture for residents.

Data basis: Government tax authority data via taxesmap.app, as of 2026